Head of Buying - Jet

TFG (The Foschini Group) is a South African fashion lifestyle retailer & comprises of 22 fashion forward brands.

Our range includes some of the leading fashion, home wear, sportswear, cellular and jewellery brands in the country, as well as a host of innovative financial services. TFG comprises of the following 22 exciting retail brands; @home, @homelivingpace, American Swiss, Charles & Keith, Colette, DonnaClaire, Duesouth, Exact, Fabiani, The FIX, Foschini, G-star Raw, hi, Markham, Mat & May, Next, Phase Eight, SODA Bloc, sportscene, Sterns, Totalsports and Whistles.Key Responsibilities:

Lead the buying team to conceptualise and implement the merchandise strategy in line with overall company strategy

Deliver the defined turnover growth and margins

Product and trend direction, development and sourcing to meet the fashion, price expectation and quality standards of consumers. This involves finding suppliers who can provide high-volume, technical items without compromising on quality.

Branded partner strategy - managing the relationship with branded partners and ensuring a win-win outcome in all dealings. Balancing range, offer and margin across various brands.

Negotiate terms with suppliers in line with overall margin, service and quality targets

Ensure reliable source of supply through sound process and effective supplier relationships

Pricing strategy, setting competitive pricing strategies that attract customers while maintaining profitability. The Head of Buying must balance external price pressures with internal cost controls

Manage and control stock levels based on seasonal forecasts and planning, incl. replenishment product categories.

Ensure that assigned team is effectively resourced, create context for strategy and effectively develop talent pipeline

Responsible for ongoing management of purchasing strategy and activity and for ensuring optimal supplier performance and price.

Market analysis and trends, keeping abreast of market trends and consumer behaviours to anticipate demand and adjust buying strategies accordingly. This includes understanding the dynamics of the sport retail market and seasonal fluctuations

Cross-functional collaboration, working closely with merchandise planning, marketing, store operations, and finance teams to align the buying strategy with broader company goals. This collaboration helps in crafting promotions and in-store presentations that maximize sales.

Lead and manage a Team of Buyers to deliver the appropriate support to the business to meet corporate and business development objectives.

Qualifications and Experience:

Post Graduate Degree - 10+ relevant years

Minimum 8 years working experience at a senior management level, incl. people/team management

Minimum 15 years relevant buying / merchandise experience is essential

Proven track record in building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships

Proven track record and ability to drive a merchandise strategy by demonstrating innovative and creative thinking

Demonstrate experience of leading a purchasing function with a proven track record in strategic purchasing leadership delivering effective purchasing strategies

Ability to work comfortably at both a strategic and operational level

Ability to drive change, persuade and influence both internal and external stakeholders (often without direct authority)

Demonstrate a high level of maturity, emotional intelligence and insight into diverse teams and individuals

Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to aggressive deadlines, incl. problem solving

Exceptional analytical ability to effectively evaluate and drive functional KPIs, incl. sales growth, PIS, CSOH, input- and maintained margins, stock turn, clearance

Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of organisation

Exceptional leadership skills incl. the ability to attract, hire, retain and motivate assigned team members and talent pool

Skills:

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, generate insights, and make data-driven decisions.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team, fostering a positive work environment and driving results.

Strategic mindset with a focus on long-term growth and sustainability

Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment.