At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive impactful sourcing strategies and collaborate with top retail brands.
- Company: Join a dynamic team transforming the retail sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive pay, and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in retail while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail sourcing and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Flexible work hours and travel opportunities for exciting projects.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Senior Retail Performance Improvement Consultant – Sourcing Focus
Location: Hybrid (client site, office, remote)
Travel: Required, frequency varies
Our Client is expanding their Retail Performance Improvement (PI) team and seeking experienced professionals who can deliver real impact in the retail sector. Whether you are an established sourcing leader or a high-potential consultant with a proven track record, this is your chance to join a fast-growing team helping clients transform during critical, high-impact situations.
About the Role
The Retail PI team works across the retail industry to deliver meaningful business performance improvements in:
- Revenue growth
- Cost and profit improvement
- Cash management
- Digital enablement
- Organisational effectiveness
You’ll partner with healthy, under-performing, and distressed companies to solve their most complex challenges—creating long-lasting enterprise value.
What You’ll Do
We’re looking for individuals with deep apparel sourcing expertise and the drive to implement change. Depending on your level of experience, you may:
- Lead or support overhauls of sourcing strategies for apparel brands and retailers
- Conduct vendor negotiations with an analytics-driven approach to profitability
- Build Excel-based financial models to quantify sourcing and negotiation impacts
- Advise on fabric types, cost drivers, and go-to-market process trade-offs
- Collaborate with design, product development, and buying teams to optimize calendars and delivery
- Contribute to wider performance improvement programmes, including:
- Category strategy and revenue growth initiatives
- Indirect procurement and SG&A cost reduction
- End-to-end supply chain transformation and footprint optimization
- Store network, operations, and omnichannel transformation
What You’ll Bring
- Extensive and relevant retail sector experience (consulting and/or industry)
- Proven leadership of sourcing departments or categories OR strong upward trajectory in consulting/industry with direct sourcing impact
- Significant experience in vendor negotiations and sourcing strategy development
- Strong financial literacy, critical thinking, and analytical skills
- Track record of practical, results-oriented delivery in high-pressure environments
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence in engaging C-suite stakeholders
- Passion for retail and participation in industry discussions and events
- Flexibility to travel (sometimes at short notice) and work outside standard hours when required
- Fluency in English (additional languages a plus)
Education
- Master’s degree and/or MBA (preferred in Business, Finance, or Engineering)
- Evidence of strong academic performance
Why Join Our Client?
- Hybrid work model supporting flexibility and work-life integration
- A dynamic, inclusive culture built on authenticity, growth, and equity
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
Our Client is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
Whether you’re an experienced sourcing leader or a rising star ready for the next big step—apply now to shape the future of retail performance improvement.
SVP Retail Sourcing employer: Blue Astral Consulting
Contact Detail:
Blue Astral Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SVP Retail Sourcing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail sector and let them know you're on the hunt for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their success in retail performance improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your sourcing expertise and how it aligns with the company's goals. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you can deliver your story smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace SVP Retail Sourcing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of SVP Retail Sourcing. Highlight your relevant experience in sourcing and retail performance improvement, and don’t forget to showcase those vendor negotiation skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about retail and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves financial modelling and analytics, make sure to include examples of how you've used these skills in past roles. We want to see how you can drive profitability through data-driven decisions!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Astral Consulting
✨Know Your Sourcing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your apparel sourcing expertise. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in the past and how they led to measurable improvements. This will show that you not only understand the theory but also have practical experience.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your financial literacy and analytical skills. Bring examples of Excel-based financial models you've built or vendor negotiations you've led, and be ready to explain how these contributed to profitability and cost reduction.
✨Engage with C-Suite Scenarios
Since you'll be interacting with C-suite stakeholders, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think of scenarios where you've successfully communicated complex concepts to senior leaders and be prepared to share those stories.
✨Flexibility is Key
Be ready to discuss your flexibility regarding travel and working hours. Highlight any previous experiences where you adapted to changing circumstances, as this role may require quick adjustments to meet client needs.