Head of Buying - Cape Town

Recruiter:

Future Careers

Job Ref:

FUT - HOB

Date posted:

Friday, August 28, 2026

Location:

Cape Town, South Africa

Salary:

Market related

SUMMARY:
A leading fashion retailer based in Cape Town is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Buying to lead its comprehensive merchandise and buying strategy across a women’s fashion-focused retail business.

POSITION INFO:

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of the fashion retail lifecycle, exceptional commercial acumen and proven leadership capability. They will play a key role in shaping the overall buying strategy, range architecture, sourcing approach and trading performance while building and developing a high-performing buying and merchandising team.

Duties & Responsibilities

Define and execute the overallBuying and Merchandise Strategyin line with the broader business strategy.
Lead therange and assortment strategy, ensuring the product offering is commercially relevant, customer-focused and aligned to fashion trends.
Drivesales, margin and profitability performanceacross the category portfolio.
Translate customer insights, market trends and commercial data into effective buying decisions.
Lead commercial decision-making through data, reporting and market insight.
Oversee merchandise budgeting andOpen-to-Buy (OTB)principles.
Shape sourcing, supplier and value strategies, including local and international sourcing opportunities.
Lead supplier selection, negotiation and ongoing supplier performance management.
Ensure effective collaboration acrossBuying, Planning, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Trading.
Identify opportunities to improve product, pricing, margin and overall commercial performance.
Build, lead, mentor and develop a high-performing buying and merchandising team.
Establish clear performance expectations, accountability and development plans for senior team members.
Act as a strategic business partner to the Executive team and key business stakeholders.
Maintain a strong understanding of women''s fashion trends, customer behaviour and evolving retail expectations.
Ensure trend forecasting is effectively translated into commercially viable product.
Support the continued development of the business''s omnichannel and e-commerce proposition.

Desired Experience & Qualification

A relevant tertiary qualification inFashion, Clothing Production, Product Development, Merchandising, Retail, Business Managementor a related field is preferred.
Matric / Grade 12 is essential.

Experience & Knowledge

Approximately8 years'' experiencein merchandising within fashion, apparel, footwear or a comparable multi-category retail environment.
A minimum of5 years'' experience in women''s fashion / ladieswear.
At least3 years'' experience in a senior management position, with responsibility for leading and developing teams.
Proven experience owning or materially shaping abuying strategyand delivering measurable commercial outcomes.
Strong end-to-end understanding of the fashion retail cycle and the interrelationship betweenbuying, planning, sourcing, supply and trading.
Experience working within amulti-store retail environment.
Omnichannel and e-commerce exposure will be highly advantageous.
Strong analytical capability and confidence working with merchandise systems, reporting and commercial data.
Proven expertise inbuying strategy, range building and assortment planning.
Strong knowledge of women''s fashion trends and customer behaviour.
Understanding of trend forecasting and its commercial application.
Strong sales, margin and profitability management capability.
Solid understanding ofOpen-to-Buy (OTB)and merchandise budgeting.
Knowledge of local and international sourcing principles.
Strong supplier negotiation and performance management experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop senior buying and merchandising teams.
Strong performance management and accountability skills.

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Head of Buying - Cape Town

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Desired Experience & Qualification

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