Head of Buying - Cape Town

Synopsis

A leading fashion retailer based in Cape Town is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Buying to lead its comprehensive merchandise and buying strategy across a women’s fashion-focused retail business.

This senior leadership opportunity will oversee a broad product portfolio spanning clothing, footwear, accessories and beauty, with responsibility for translating customer insights, fashion trends and commercial data into a compelling, relevant and profitable product proposition.

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of the fashion retail lifecycle, exceptional commercial acumen and proven leadership capability. They will play a key role in shaping the overall buying strategy, range architecture, sourcing approach and trading performance while building and developing a high-performing buying and merchandising team.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overall Buying and Merchandise Strategy in line with the broader business strategy.
• Lead the range and assortment strategy, ensuring the product offering is commercially relevant, customer-focused and aligned to fashion trends.
• Drive sales, margin and profitability performance across the category portfolio.
• Translate customer insights, market trends and commercial data into effective buying decisions.
• Lead commercial decision-making through data, reporting and market insight.
• Oversee merchandise budgeting and Open-to-Buy (OTB) principles.
• Shape sourcing, supplier and value strategies, including local and international sourcing opportunities.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiation and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Ensure effective collaboration across Buying, Planning, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Trading.
• Identify opportunities to improve product, pricing, margin and overall commercial performance.
• Build, lead, mentor and develop a high-performing buying and merchandising team.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability and development plans for senior team members.
• Act as a strategic business partner to the Executive team and key business stakeholders.
• Maintain a strong understanding of women's fashion trends, customer behaviour and evolving retail expectations.
• Ensure trend forecasting is effectively translated into commercially viable product.
• Support the continued development of the business's omnichannel and e-commerce proposition.

Qualifications / Minimum Requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Fashion, Clothing Production, Product Development, Merchandising, Retail, Business Management or a related field is preferred.
• Matric / Grade 12 is essential.

Experience & Knowledge

• Approximately 8 years' experience in merchandising within fashion, apparel, footwear or a comparable multi-category retail environment.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in women's fashion / ladieswear.
• At least 3 years' experience in a senior management position, with responsibility for leading and developing teams.
• Proven experience owning or materially shaping a buying strategy and delivering measurable commercial outcomes.
• Strong end-to-end understanding of the fashion retail cycle and the interrelationship between buying, planning, sourcing, supply and trading.
• Experience working within a multi-store retail environment.
• Omnichannel and e-commerce exposure will be highly advantageous.
• Strong analytical capability and confidence working with merchandise systems, reporting and commercial data.
• Proven expertise in buying strategy, range building and assortment planning.
• Strong knowledge of women's fashion trends and customer behaviour.
• Understanding of trend forecasting and its commercial application.
• Strong sales, margin and profitability management capability.
• Solid understanding of Open-to-Buy (OTB) and merchandise budgeting.
• Knowledge of local and international sourcing principles.
• Strong supplier negotiation and performance management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop senior buying and merchandising teams.
• Strong performance management and accountability skills.