Buying Director (MT member)

The organisation

Our client is a flourishing story-telling fashion and lifestyle brand with ambitious international expansion plans. Being part of an investment group, the brand is known for its surprising product collections and unique store design and offers customers an extraordinary shopping experience in a hip, inspiring ambience.

The position

The Buying Director will be responsible for the development and implementation of innovative buying strategies for all categories (Women, Men, Kids and Home) and thereby exceeding customers’ expectations and delivering the targeted sales and profit targets.

Driving for reduced costs, he/she will select new international suppliers, manage the mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers at strategic, tactical and operational level and finalize framework contracts. Supporting the company’s ambitious international growth plans, the Buying Director will also focus on structuring and further professionalizing the (buying) organization and improve and unify work processes.

Buying works very close together with respectively Design and Planning; altogether this triangle cooperation is responsible for product development. The Buying Director will be part of the Management Team and lead, motivate and further develop a team of approx. 20 Buyers.

Based at a central location in the Netherlands, the Buying Director reports directly to the Managing Director.

Candidate profile

Background and Experience

• At least 10-12 years of progressive work experience, of which at least 3-5 years in a managerial buying position in the fast-paced international fashion or living retail industry
• Demonstrable practice in buying, sourcing and product development gained at renowned vertical integrators in the fashion or living retail business
• Experience in womenswear buying is considered a strong plus. Affinity with living/homeware is required
• Skilled in maintaining relationships with international suppliers and sourcing of new suppliers for future products
• Experience in closely working with Design and Planning
• Background in fashion environments with distinctive vision and product portfolio
• International experience outside of the Netherlands is strongly desired
• Fluency in English is mandatory

Personal Skills

• Entrepreneurial, hands-on character that enjoys to have the opportunity to build and to get the hands dirty in a dynamic, somewhat greenfield, environment
• Visionary leader who thinks in concepts, but also gets things done. Able to create a vision for the department, change mindsets and taking along the team to reach targets. Inspirational motivator to the team with well-developed people management skills
• Innovative, with an eye for trends. Someone who strives to stay ahead of the pack
• Creative out-of-the-box thinker with strong analytical and strategic capabilities. A positive, can do approach, one that wants to test new things and seeks continuous improvement
• Affinity with art, culture, lifestyle
• Sound presentation and excellent communication skills

Terms & conditions

The position offers, next to a market conform salary range and secondary benefits, the opportunity to significantly contribute to the ambitious international growth plans of an inspiring story-telling fashion and lifestyle brand.

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the link below, please send your CV in English and Word format along with an application letter. For more information, please contact Anisha Wai or Leonie Wiedom at +31 (0)20 697 14 10.

Reference and diploma checks are standard part of the procedure; background checks and pre-employment screening may also be part of the procedure.