Head of Buying

Confidentiel; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidentiel in Dubai is seeking a Head of Buying & Planning to lead a fast-moving toy assortment. You will own range strategy, buying, planning, allocation and margin, reporting to the Retail Director and guiding a dedicated team.

Spot trends across social media, fairs and sales data; balance test-and-scale ideas with big hits; manage OTB by category, forecast, replenishment and stock health; build strong supplier partnerships to improve margins and terms.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of buying experience and strong leadership in buying/planning.
• Strong skills in OTB, forecasting, allocation and margin management.
• Experience with direct sourcing, brand/distributor relationships is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Set buying strategy and seasonal range plans balancing big brands with discovery items.
• Identify trends from social media, toy fairs and sales data to support fast, confident buying decisions.
• Decide when to test ideas and when to back proven hits at scale.
• Own the OTB by category, store and month; lead forecasting, allocation and replenishment.
• Maintain stock health with forward cover, bestseller availability, and manage markdowns.
• Build senior partnerships with brands and distributors; negotiate terms to improve margin and rebates.
• Broaden supplier base through direct sourcing, exclusives, or own-brand lines.
• Deliver sales, gross margin and stock targets; lead weekly trading reviews.
• Coach and develop a fast, curious, commercially driven team.

Skills

Buying & Merchandising

Merchandise Planning

Forecasting

Negotiation

Team Leadership

Data Analysis

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Toys have become one of the fastest-moving categories in retail. Trends start on social media, spread across the

region in days and fade just as quickly. We’re looking for a Head of Buying & Planning who thrives at that pace.

You’ll be a commercially rigorous leader with real instinct for product, able to run a disciplined OTB with the

judgement to know when to test, when to back a hit big and when to exit.

Reporting to the Retail Director, you’ll own the full product journey, from range strategy and buying through to

planning, allocation and margin. You’ll also lead the buying and planning team.

Job Responsibilities

• Set the buying strategy and seasonal range plans, balancing the big brands customers expect with the discoveries that set the business apart
• Spot trends early across social media, global toy fairs and sales data, and turn insight into fast, confident buying decisions
• Know when to test and when to go big: trial unproven ideas, and back the genuine hits early, at scale and with conviction
• Own the OTB by category, store and month, and lead forecasting, allocation and replenishment
• Keep stock healthy: forward cover, bestseller availability, aged stock and markdowns
• Build senior-level partnerships with brand owners and distributors, and negotiate terms that improve margin, rebates and payment terms
• Broaden the supplier base through direct sourcing, exclusives and own-brand product
• Deliver sales, gross margin and stock targets, and lead weekly trading reviews
• Coach and develop a team that is fast, curious and commercially driven

What you'll bring

• 8+ years of buying experience, including 3+ years leading a buying or buying and planning team, ideally in toys, kids, gifting or another trend-led category
• Strong merchandise planning skills: OTB, forecasting, allocation, stock and margin
• A strong negotiator with lasting relationships across major brands and distributors
• A sharp eye for product and a real feel for what drives children’s and parents’ buying decisions
• Factory-direct sourcing and own-brand development experience are a strong advantage
• Highly numerate, with advanced Excel skills and confidence using ERP and merchandising systems
• GCC retail experience and knowledge of the regional toy supplier landscape preferred
• Agile, decisive and at your best in a fast-moving market
• Willing to travel to international toy fairs, suppliers and factories

Why Join

• A senior role with real ownership of the product offer and a direct line to the Retail Director
• The chance to shape how a growing business buys for its next chapter
• Start date: as soon as possible, ideally before the end of 2026