Buying Manager- Beauty

SELFRIDGES; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Buying Manager for their Beauty division. This role is pivotal in shaping the creative and commercial strategy, sourcing innovative brands, and negotiating optimal terms to enhance market presence. You'll lead a dynamic team, collaborating cross-functionally to drive sales and profitability while ensuring exceptional customer experiences. If you have a passion for beauty and a proven track record in luxury retail, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a vibrant and fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Buyer in premium or luxury retail.
• Deep knowledge of beauty trends and market dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Drive creative and commercial direction for the Beauty division.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers and manage brand performance.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Negotiation Skills

Commercial Awareness

Leadership

Data Interpretation

Communication Skills

Market Knowledge

Team Collaboration

Education

Experience in Buying

Knowledge of Beauty Industry

Job description

Buying Manager- Beauty

Job Introduction

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 we remain 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 maintain Selfridges' market-leading position through expertise in the product and market.
3. Negotiate optimal commercial terms with suppliers, including margins, trade discounts, and marketing support.
4. Secure exclusive brand launches by developing compelling, commercially-led propositions aligned with brand objectives and enhancing Selfridges' point of difference.
5. Drive sales and profitability, ensuring all buying decisions are grounded in a sound commercial framework.
6. Collaborate with the Merchandise team to plan and monitor the OTB, review in season, and take necessary actions.
7. Lead 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 performance analysis, making recommendations to keep or discontinue within the business.
10. Ensure effective communication with retail operations, especially regarding new season launches and support plans.
11. Coordinate with Social Media, Marketing, PR, and Digital teams to support key brands and new/exclusive product launches.
12. Work with Property to ensure new concepts are implemented effectively, meeting commercial and creative requirements.
13. Collaborate with Retail Management and VM to optimise product placement for best performance.
14. Oversee the ordering process, ensuring compliance and supporting the admin team in error resolution.
15. Lead, develop, and coach your team, fostering effective training, succession planning, and communication.
16. Partner with the legal team on contract negotiations and concession agreements.
17. Identify, implement, and present CAPEX initiatives, collaborating with the property team.
18. Support seasonal activities across the business.

How you'll do it:

• Be an experienced Buyer or above, ideally within a premium, luxury, or specialist retailer.
• Be a strategic thinker, capable of identifying opportunities to differentiate and elevate the beauty offer.
• Have deep knowledge of the beauty industry, including current and emerging trends.
• Be proactive in sourcing new brands and concepts, passionate about innovation.
• Be commercially savvy and numerate, understanding profitability and performance drivers.
• Possess strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Be an influential leader, capable of driving alignment across teams.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and motivating team environment.
• Be passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences through curated products and services.
• Have experience in developing long-term category strategies aligned with business goals and brand values.
• Confident in interpreting data, market insights, and performance metrics.
• Experienced in working cross-functionally with marketing, VM, ecommerce, and supply chain teams.
• Adaptable and agile in a fast-paced environment, responding quickly to trends and needs.
• Proven track record of sales growth and margin improvement in a luxury or premium setting.
• Skilled in building strategic supplier relationships for long-term success.
• Creative, solution-oriented, and capable of tackling complex challenges.
• Highly organized, forward-thinking, and able to translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Flexible to evolving business needs and willing to take on new challenges.