Beauty Buying Manager

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Buying Manager to lead their Beauty division, focusing on sourcing innovative brands and products while driving sales and profitability. In this dynamic role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the customer experience and maintain a competitive edge in the beauty market. Your strategic thinking and negotiation skills will be key in securing exclusive launches and optimizing product offerings. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional service and curating a unique product selection that delights customers.

Qualifications

• Experienced Buyer level or above within a premium or luxury retailer.
• Deeply knowledgeable about the beauty industry and current trends.
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth in a luxury setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Beauty division and drive creative and commercial direction.
• Source new brands and negotiate commercial terms with suppliers.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team to achieve sales goals.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Negotiation Skills

Commercial Acumen

Interpersonal Skills

Data Interpretation

Team Leadership

Market Knowledge

Education

Experience in Buying

Knowledge of Beauty Industry

Job description

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What is the role?

As our Buying Manager, you will support the Director of Beauty Buying to manage our Beauty division. You’ll be instrumental in driving the creative and commercial direction of the category – sourcing new brands and products, negotiating the best terms for Selfridges, and ensuring Selfridges remains at the forefront of the beauty industry. You will manage the performance of a defined buying area, leading a team and working cross-functionally to drive sales, optimise profitability, and enhance our unique product offer.

As our Buying Manager you will:

1. Work with the Director of Beauty Buying to develop and implement the creative strategy for the Beauty division, focusing on short-term and long-term objectives.
2. Source new brands and products to ensure that Selfridges maintains a market-leading position, through knowledge and expertise of the product and market.
3. Negotiate the best possible commercial terms with suppliers, including margin, trade discounts, and marketing support.
4. Secure exclusive brand launches by developing compelling, commercially-led propositions that align with brand objectives and enhance Selfridges’ point of difference.
5. Drive sales and profitability, ensuring all buying decisions are grounded in a sound commercial framework.
6. Work closely with the Merchandise team to plan and monitor the OTB, review in season, and take necessary actions.
7. Lead on range planning, working closely with the Merchandiser Manager and Buyers.
8. Manage existing brand performance through regular analysis, making informed decisions on continuity, exit strategies, or further investment.
9. Manage concessions through regular meetings with the concession manager and analysis of performance, making recommendations to keep or discontinue within the business.
10. Ensure effective communication with retail operations teams, particularly regarding new season launches and support plans.
11. Work closely with Social Media, Marketing, PR, and Digital teams to drive support plans on key brands, along with new and exclusive product launches.
12. Work closely with Property to ensure new concepts are implemented effectively and meet commercial and creative requirements.
13. Collaborate with Retail Management and VM to optimize product placement for best performance.
14. Oversee the ordering process, ensuring compliance and supporting the admin team in managing errors.
15. Lead, develop, and coach your team—embedding effective training, succession planning, and communication processes.
16. Partner with the legal team on contract negotiations and concession agreements.
17. Identify and implement new concepts, drive and present CAPEX proposals, and collaborate with the property team.
18. Support seasonal activity across the business.

How you’ll do it…you will be:

• Experienced Buyer level or above, ideally within a premium, luxury, or specialist retailer.
• Strategic thinker, with the ability to identify opportunities that differentiate and elevate the beauty offer in a competitive market.
• Deeply knowledgeable about the beauty industry, with a well-developed understanding of current and emerging trends globally and locally.
• Proactive in identifying new brands and concepts, with a passion for innovation and market introduction.
• Commercially astute and numerate, with a strong understanding of profitability and performance drivers.
• Highly skilled in negotiation, communication, and presentation.
• A strong influencer, capable of driving alignment and support for key initiatives at all levels.
• A collaborative leader who motivates and develops high-performing teams, fostering a positive and inclusive culture.
• Known for strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Passionate about delivering a best-in-class customer experience through exceptional product and service curation.
• Experienced in developing and executing long-term category strategies aligned with business goals and brand values.
• Confident interpreting data, market insights, and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions.
• Experienced working cross-functionally with marketing, visual merchandising, ecommerce, and supply chain teams.
• Agile and adaptable in a fast-paced environment, responding quickly to trends and business needs.
• A proven track record of delivering sales growth and improving margins within a premium or luxury setting.
• Skilled in building and managing strategic supplier relationships supporting long-term success.
• Creative and solution-oriented, capable of tackling complex challenges innovatively.
• Highly organized, forward-thinking, and able to translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Flexible and adaptable to evolving business needs, willing to take on new challenges.