Age: 45Role: Fashion and shoe buyer, Gibbons CompanyWhat is your job? I am responsible for the selection of merchandise that is available to sell at Gibbons Co in the ladies fashion and shoe departments. I work within a budget and I have to select the right merchandise for the customer base that I am targeting in each department. This involves representing the current fashion trends as well as classic traditional pieces at the right price. My job involves travelling overseas to select the merchandise and managing the flow of the goods from the vendor until it is sold to the consumer. This involves negotiating prices, the shipping and the timing of the merchandise along with the presentation and marketing of the goods. I am part of a team that includes members from shipping, receiving, sales, display and marketing and we are responsible for the success of each of the areas.What is your favourite part? My favourite part of the job is the diversity of the position. I am able to be creative through the selection and presentation of the merchandise. I get to travel to select, purchase and negotiate the right product and to build strong partnerships with the vendors. My job also allows me to be analytical through the administration and financial management of the merchandise. There are no two days alike, the retail environment is ever changing and that keeps the job interesting and challenging.What is your least favourite part? My least favourite part of the job is reworking budgets during difficult economic times and having to cancel merchandise that was selected and ordered with a vision in sight. Another part of my job that I dislike is the negative feedback from the customer concerning the availability of brands and collections that are not accessible to us to add to our assortment. These are usually lines that are produced directly for and by stores such as Macys, discount stores and franchise stores such as Ann Taylor.What is your most interesting experience at work? My most interesting experience on the job has to be travelling to different places and meeting very interesting people that you build relationships with. My most recent interesting experience was to travel to Barcelona, Spain as part of the buying team for Mango. The city was very interesting and the culture, food and people made this buying trip memorable.What would you be doing otherwise? If I had not chosen a career as a buyer I would have pursued a career in the accounting field. For me this would have satisfied my interest in numbers and analysis but would have probably bored me over time with the lack of creativity.