Head of Buying

**Job no**: 998843
**Work type**: Full-Time
**Location**: Melbourne - CBD & Inner
**Categories**: Buying

Reporting to the Managing Director of Country Road, the Head of Buying is responsible for leading the strategic development and delivery of product assortments across Fashion, Seasonal and Core lines, ensuring alignment with customer preferences and market trends. Overseeing the apparel and accessories categories across Womenswear, Menswear and Childrenswear, this role will lead and inspire the Buying function to act as the voice and advocate of the customer, understanding market trends and competitors to inform buying decisions.

This role is responsible for leading, inspiring and cultivating a high performing team that attracts and retains top talent.

**Key Accountabilities**
- Build, implement and deliver the Buying strategy for the Brand to deliver and optimise annual/seasonal product assortments aligned with financial targets and brand pillars
- Align Design direction and Customer needs by developing product assortments that balance creativity, innovation, customer preferences and market trends, in line with the Critical Path
- Take overall responsibility for intake margin, working closely with Design, Planning and Sourcing teams to align product development objectives with Budget KPI’s
- Work with Head of Design to influence and input product design direction to deliver sales, intake margin, sell thru and the brand handwriting
- Provide product strategy inputs to Planning to develop effective and commercial, divisional and channel budgets and strategies
- Agility and proactivity to course-correct product plans based on in-season trading/actions, and to take advantage of emerging trade or trend opportunities
- Attend overseas trips with Design and Production counterparts
- Responsible for sales, intake margin, sell thru and BGP, working in collaboration with pod leaders/key team members to deliver
- Actively review product performance all channels and through team feedback to inform in season and future decision making
- Lead buying team to coordinate and drive Seasonal Reviews, SWOTs and post-seasonal product review meetings, collaborating with HO Planning, HO Design and Creative Director
- Collaborate with other departments such as; Planning, Production, Retail, VM and Marketing to ensure brand alignment throughout various channels
- Provide line management and leadership to the team, overseeing performance, development, and resource allocation to achieve departmental goals
- Collaborate across group, building team cohesion and connection, to inspire and bring our House of Brands strategy to life
- Embrace uncertainty and change while facilitating and enabling strategic change with clarity, empathy and optimism
- Create & foster an inclusive environment where all team members can thrive and feel included, respected and safe. Set clear expectations of behaviour and hold self and others accountable
- Role-model learning & development and empower others to change, grow, and incorporate new experiences.

**Key Capabilities**
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, Buying, Retail Management, or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred
- Professional certifications in buying, merchandising, or supply chain management (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) are advantageous
- Extensive experience in buying with a proven track record of delivering successful buying strategies in a fast-paced retail or omnichannel environment
- Demonstrated experience in leading and developing teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture
- Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute buying strategies that align with business goals and market trends
- Strong understanding of financial metrics, including revenue, margin, and inventory management, to drive profitable buying decisions
- Strong understanding of customer preferences, leveraging data-driven insights to create product assortments that resonate with target audiences
- Proven expertise in costing, margin analysis, and trading to set profitable annual and seasonal assortments.

**Why work for CRG?**

The Country Road Group is one of Australasia’s largest Lifestyle Brand Houses comprising of iconic brands such as Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery and MIMCO. Here are some of the great things we offer:

- Generous employee discounts across our House of Brands
- Seasonal clothing allowance
- An additional day of leave for your birthday
- An Industry leading Parental Leave Program
- Flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance
- Annual learning calendar to support the ongoing development of our team
- Support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility Program
- We are committed to operating ethically, sustainably, and responsibly.

**About Country Road**

As Australia’s favourite lifestyle brand, beloved around the world, we deliver timeless Australian style that is designed for life and made