Head of Buying (Kidswear)

Matalan; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading retail company as the Head of Buying for Kidswear, driving product range strategy and team performance during a pivotal turnaround. Your leadership will inspire innovation and ensure alignment with market trends while achieving financial targets in a collaborative culture.

Benefits

20% staff discount, increasing with service

Thrive Recognition Scheme

Wellbeing support from Retail Trust

Life Assurance

Retail Rewards platform

Pension Scheme

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience at a Head of Buying level in omnichannel value fashion retailing.
• Proven success in executing long-term buying strategies.
• Experience in dynamic retail environments, particularly in turnaround situations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute divisional range strategy to inspire customers.
• Oversight of financial management including P&L.
• Lead and develop the Kidswear Buying Team.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

Market Trend Analysis

Team Development

Job description

As our Head of Buying for Kidswear, you will be accountable for the curation of a trend-led, commercial and customer-focused product range, driving our strategy of putting customers at the heart of everything we do and our ambition to be the first choice for value for Matalan families.

You’ll be joining us at a pivotal moment in our incredible brands turnaround. We’re looking for someone who is able to demonstrate great leadership, great commerciality and help to evolve the product handwriting in order for us to evolve to our aspirational plans.

Strategic Leadership

• You will develop and execute the overall divisional range strategy to inspire and delight our omnichannel customer base.
• Identify market trends, customer insights, and competitor activities to ensure an innovative and competitive product range.

Range Planning and Development:

• Lead the planning, development and creation of a cohesive, trend-focused range, that resonates with Matalan’s customers and brand identity.
• Oversee the development of divisional range plans, ensuring a balanced mix of core and seasonal trend-driven products
• Curate and deliver cohesive handwriting and range optimisation for the Matalan customer.

Financial Management:

• Set and manage divisional budgets, including sales, margin, and stock targets.
• Lead the review of in-season trading performance, managing the P&L and variance to plan to deliver optimum return on investment in line with financial forecast.
• Working with Merchandising, ensure accurate forecasting and stock management.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead, inspire, and develop the Kidswear Buying Team of to achieve their full potential.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture across the department.
• Establish clear goals and KPIs for the team and provide regular performance feedback.

Supplier and Stakeholder Management:

• Build long-term, strategic relationships with key suppliers across the UK, FE and Europe to ensure reliable sourcing.
• Working alongside the Sourcing & Quality teams to build and maintain a robust supplier network to secure the best quality products at optimal costs.
• Partner with Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and Store Operations to ensure seamless product launches and campaigns.

Compliance and Sustainability:

• Ensure all products meet Matalan’s ethical and sustainability standards.
• Stay abreast of industry regulations and ensure compliance across the buying function.
• Champion initiatives that drive Matalan’s commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Why Join Us?

We’re proud of our low ego, high impact culture which is hybrid and warm, you will be working with experienced teams who want to make a difference. This is a turnaround of an amazing business with strong heritage, at a point when we are investing in new stores and refreshing the estate. If you thrive on adding flair and passion to a non-hierarchical fast-paced turn around this is a very exciting time to join us.

Whilst Liverpool based, many of our leaders are from other areas and our working patterns enable us to make a difference, whilst getting the right balance between visible leadership and being out at stores and of course with our partners and supply base.

• Previous experience of operating at a Head of Buying level, within omnichannel value fashion retailing.
• Proven success in developing and executing long-term buying strategies to deliver growth, profitability and strengthen the brand positioning.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to use financial and market data to drive informed decision making.
• Good knowledge of consumer behaviour, competitor activities and emerging market trends, particularly within the kidswear field.
• Extensive experience in sourcing, negotiating and building relationships with supplies globally.
• Ability to work cross functionally with design, merchandising, marketing and operations teams to ensure seamless E2E product launches in line with company goals.
• Proven experience of leading, coaching and inspiring buying teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Experience operating within a dynamic, fastmoving retail environment ideally within a business in turn around.

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolvinghere.

We know as a team, we are stronger together – we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.

We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
• Thrive Recognition Scheme
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
• Life Assurance
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Access to a wide range of career development
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business