Head of Buying and Merchandising

Role Overview

The Head of Buying & Merchandising shapes and executes the global product and buying strategy, translating the brand’s creative vision and client insight into a compelling, commercially strong assortment that drives profitable growth.

With ownership from collection planning and buying through to in-season trade, margin and inventory, the role ensures a consistent brand offer tailored to the needs of different channels and markets.

Working closely with Design, Production, Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale, Marketing and Finance, the successful candidate will combine strategic thinking, strong product instinct and financial discipline with the energy and pace to turn insight into action.

Key Responsibilities

Collection Strategy & Buying

• Lead global collection merchandising and buying strategy, aligning the brand vision with client needs and commercial objectives.
• Develop range architecture across categories, styles, materials, colours and price points, balancing signature products, continuity and newness.
• Translate client feedback, market insight and trading performance into product briefs, collection reviews and assortment decisions.
• Own buy breadth, depth and investment across channels and markets, maintaining a coherent global offer with relevant retail exclusive opportunities
• Partner with Design, Production and Finance to align product development, pricing, margin and delivery with seasonal and long-term ambitions.

Trade & Commercial Performance

• Lead weekly trading, translating sales, sell-through, margin and inventory performance into clear actions.
• Identify opportunities to grow key products, categories and markets, attract new clients and address underperformance.
• Adjust forecasts, investment, replenishment, allocation and intake in response to demand.
• Align Retail, E-commerce, Wholesale and Marketing around launches, product priorities and selling opportunities.
• Provide senior leadership with forward-looking commercial insight and recommendations.

Planning, Inventory & Profitability

• Own seasonal and annual plans across sales, margin, inventory, intake and Open-to-Buy.
• Use forecasting and scenario planning to balance growth opportunities with cash flow and inventory exposure.
• Drive inventory productivity through effective allocation, replenishment and continuity strategies.
• Align production and deliveries with demand, managing slow-moving stock while protecting brand positioning.
• Identify margin opportunities and ensure investment decisions consider sales, profitability and inventory together.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Act as the commercial hub of the business, aligning teams around clear collection and trading priorities.
• Lead and develop the Buying & Merchandising function, creating ownership, accountability and momentum.
• Improve planning tools, reporting and processes to support better, faster decisions.
• Listen, influence and challenge constructively, ensuring decisions translate into action.

Experience & Capabilities

• Significant buying and merchandising experience within luxury fashion, leather goods or accessories.
• Strong collection merchandising, range architecture and assortment planning skills across channels and markets.
• Exceptional commercial judgement, product instinct and an understanding of luxury clients.
• Strong financial planning, forecasting, Open-to-Buy, margin and inventory management skills.
• Analytical and commercially creative, able to turn client and performance insight into clear opportunities.
• An engaging, decisive leader who can develop teams, influence cross-functionally and drive change.
• Able to balance immediate trading performance with long-term growth and brand integrity.