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- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for health and beauty, driving category growth and supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join a leading health and beauty retailer focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, private medical, pension, and product discounts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail in a dynamic environment with a focus on customer-first strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior buying roles, strategic thinking, and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working with 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.
The predicted salary is between 86000 - 115000 ÂŁ per year.
**Exciting Leadership Role – Buying Director, Europe – Health & Beauty Retailer**
Job Title: Buying Director, Europe
Reporting To: Director – Western Europe
Location: Slough or Weybridge
Type: Full Time, Permanent (Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days home)
About the Role
We’re seeking an ambitious, commercially-driven Buying Director to lead and shape our European health & beauty strategy. This is a high-profile, leadership position offering the chance to define product vision, accelerate category growth, and strengthen supplier partnerships across multiple markets.
As a senior member of the leadership team, you’ll guide a high-performing buying function, delivering trend-led, commercially robust product ranges across own-label, branded, and exclusive offerings. This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact in a fast-moving, competitive retail environment.
What You’ll Do
- Define and execute a long-term European buying strategy for health, beauty, wellness, and personal care categories.
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a talented buying team, driving innovation, accountability, and performance.
- Leverage insights, data, and market trends to create differentiated category plans that boost sales and margin.
- Build and manage supplier relationships, securing exclusivity, innovation, and scale across Europe.
- Develop promotional and pricing strategies that balance short‑term trading success with long‑term growth.
- Work cross‑functionally with marketing, supply chain, digital, and finance teams for seamless execution.
- Provide strategic commercial input at board level, influencing transformation and expansion initiatives.
- Champion the customer, ensuring product ranges remain trend‑led, relevant, and aligned with evolving consumer needs.
About You
- Senior‑level experience in buying or trading within Cosmetics, Health, Beauty, Cosmetics, FMCG or Retail.
- Strategic thinker with a proven ability to translate vision into results.
- Expert in supplier management and negotiation, experienced in driving large‑scale joint business plans.
- Track record of leading, coaching, and inspiring multi‑category teams.
- Highly analytical, using insights and data to inform decision‑making and strategy.
- Deep understanding of customer behaviour, category drivers, and the competitive retail landscape.
- Collaborative, influential, and confident engaging at senior executive level.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of European health & beauty retail during an exciting period of growth and innovation. If you’re a strategic, commercially‑minded leader ready to make a real impact, we want to hear from you.
Apply today or reach out directly: tom.richards@harbourneassociates.com
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Buying Director employer: Harbourne Associates
Contact Detail:
Harbourne Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the health and beauty retail sector. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in health and beauty retail. Familiarise yourself with current market dynamics, consumer preferences, and innovative product offerings to demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your strategic vision for the buying function. Think about how you would approach supplier management, category growth, and customer engagement, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and experience in managing high-performing teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've fostered a culture of accountability and strategic thinking in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in senior buying roles, particularly within health, beauty, FMCG, or retail. Use specific examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the health and beauty market. Discuss how your experience aligns with the company's goals and how you can contribute to their buying strategy.
Highlight Key Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise key achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead high-performing teams and drive category growth. Use metrics where possible to quantify your success.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Given the importance of data in this role, include examples of how you've used data to inform strategic decisions in previous positions. This will show your analytical mindset and ability to shape decision-making.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harbourne Associates
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Buying Director, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to set and execute a long-term buying strategy. Prepare examples of how you've successfully translated vision into actionable plans in previous roles, particularly in the health and beauty sectors.
✨Highlight Supplier Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with supplier negotiations and relationship management. Share specific instances where you've developed long-term partnerships that led to margin growth or innovation, as this will be key for the role.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Acumen
Prepare to showcase your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to inform strategic decisions. Bring examples of how you've leveraged customer insights and market trends to drive category performance.
✨Emphasise Leadership Experience
This role requires leading a high-performing team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share experiences where you've fostered a culture of accountability and strategic thinking within your teams, especially in a multi-category environment.
