Head of Buying & Merchandising at Peakware Group

Job Brief

• The Head of Buying & Merchandising will lead the strategic direction, planning, and execution of the company’s buying and merchandising function across all brands and platforms.
• This senior leadership role is responsible for driving commercial success through data-driven assortment planning, inventory optimisation, and supplier alignment.
• The role will also play a critical part in shaping product strategies in collaboration with
• Executive Management, while mentoring and developing a high-performing team of buyers and planners to elevate the function’s overall impact.

Head, Buying & Merchandising Responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the overall buying and merchandising strategy in line with the commercial objectives and brand vision.
• Partner with the CEO, CCO, Marketing, Retail Operations, and Finance to ensure cohesive product and sales strategies.
• Lead pre-season and in-season planning, including assortment architecture, margin management, and inventory forecasting.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for the Buying & Planning team.
• Build team capability through training, mentoring, and clear development pathways.
• Champion a collaborative culture that drives innovation, accountability, and execution.

Buying Strategy

• Oversee product selection and buying for all brands and channels, ensuring alignment with customer preferences and market trends.
• Approve seasonal buying plans and category budgets, ensuring target margins and commercial performance.
• Ensure brand guidelines are met in assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies.
• Coordinate with Retail, E-Commerce, Marketing, and Supply Chain to align on launch timelines, product allocations, and promotional execution.
• Partner with Finance to support liquidity planning and budget adherence.

Merchandise Planning & Analysis

• Lead forecasting, OTB planning, and inventory control to support profitability and stock efficiency.
• Monitor key metrics (e.g. sell-through, intake margin, stock turnover) to drive data-backed decisions.
• Implement analytics-driven assortment and replenishment models tailored to store profiles and customer segments.
• Vendor & Brand Partner Management
• Manage key supplier and brand relationships to ensure best-in-class terms, timely deliveries, and aligned product strategies.
• Resolve issues related to stock discrepancies, slow-moving items, or brand compliance.
• Process Optimisation & Governance
• Continuously improve internal buying and planning processes to drive efficiency, visibility, and business impact.
• Maintain governance on buying timelines, stock intake planning, markdowns, and compliance metrics.

Core Qualifications/Skills/Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field (MBA is a plus).
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in buying and merchandising, including team leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic assortment planning, product buying, and supplier negotiation.
• Strong understanding of retail metrics, sales forecasting, and merchandise analytics.
• Experience working with international fashion/sports/lifestyle brands is preferred.