Head - Buying - Women's Wear

Position: Head - Buying (Women's Wear)

Role Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned professional to lead the Buying function for our Women's Wear category.

The role requires a strong understanding of market trends, customer requirements, quality fabrics, and price points to drive effective buying decisions. While the primary focus will be Buying (80 - 90%), the role will also oversee Designing (10 - 20%) to ensure alignment with product strategy and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the Buying strategy for Women's Wear across categories, ensuring alignment with market trends and consumer demand.

- Evaluate customer requirements in terms of quality, fabric, and price point, and translate insights into buying decisions.

- Partner with design teams to contribute to product development (10 - 20% involvement), ensuring collections meet brand positioning.

- Negotiate with vendors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing and high-quality products.

- Monitor competitor activity, industry benchmarks, and emerging fashion trends to stay ahead in the market.

- Drive assortment planning, seasonal buying, and inventory management.

- Lead and mentor the buying team, ensuring strong collaboration with design, merchandising, and retail operations.

- Ensure profitability, margin optimization, and customer satisfaction through effective buying strategies.

Candidate Profile:

- Experience: Minimum 15 years of solid experience in Buying (Women's Wear).

- Proven expertise in fashion/apparel retail industry (department stores, lifestyle brands, fashion retailers).

- Strong commercial acumen with ability to balance quality and price point considerations.

- Exposure to design function (10 - 20%) with ability to collaborate on product development.

- Demonstrated leadership skills with experience in managing cross-functional teams.