At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive buying strategy and manage stock levels for a leading football teamwear company.
- Company: Direct Soccer, the UK's top custom football teamwear specialist.
- Benefits: Mentorship, training, team events, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing company and make an impact in the sports industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in e-commerce buying, data-driven decision-making, and team leadership.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Founded in 1997 by Joyce and Bryce Gibson, Direct Soccer is the UK’s leading specialist in custom football teamwear. A family-owned business, we support grassroots clubs across the country with the fastest fulfilment in the industry. We’re proud to be the number one UK partner for adidas, Mitre, and Joma, and in the top-tier for Nike. We’re a fast-growing SME known for embracing bold ideas and using technology to work smarter. From our AI-driven inventory planning to Scotland’s first AutoStore robotic warehouse, we continually invest in innovative solutions that make us more efficient, scalable, and future-ready. Our bespoke website is the most advanced in the teamwear industry, enabling full kit customisation online without customer service involvement. We’re exploring new AI applications across our operations, giving you exposure to cutting-edge tools and strategic innovation initiatives. Our commitment to innovation has been widely recognised. At the Courier Business Awards 2025, we were shortlisted in several categories, including Innovation & Technology, and proudly won Medium to Large Business and Overall Business of the Year. Our culture is down-to-earth and hard-working, shaped by multigenerational family leadership who lead by example. You’ll be trusted, challenged, and given genuine ownership from day one.
What You’ll Be Working On
- Strategy and Planning: Drive the overall buying strategy, aligned with the company’s growth targets. Create and execute seasonal buying plans, controlling all future buys based on customer insight, sales data, and market trends. Shape product assortment and pricing strategy through data-led decision making, using tools such as Power BI.
- Stock Management: Manage stock levels and demand forecasting to ensure the right products are available at the right time. Develop and manage product lifecycle and retirement strategies through proactive planning.
- Commercial and Performance Analysis: Analyse sales performance, best-sellers, and slow-moving stock to inform buying decisions and improve profitability. Identify commercial risks and opportunities across the range using sales, margin, and stock data.
- Supplier and Brand Partnerships: Strengthen relationships with brand partners to support long-term strategic growth. Track and review supplier performance, identifying opportunities to improve availability, pricing, and range effectiveness. Engage proactively with suppliers on new product launches and future opportunities. Lead, manage, and develop the buying team, setting clear objectives and expectations. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on accountability, growth, and continuous improvement.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing on promotions and product launches to maximise engagement and revenue. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure buying decisions support wider business objectives.
- Process and Operational Improvement: Demonstrate curiosity and take initiative to review purchasing processes, identifying improvement opportunities, thoroughly investigating root causes and solutions, and taking full ownership to implement change from end-to-end.
- Market and Industry Insight: Stay ahead of industry trends, new product releases, pricing changes, and market movements.
Who We’re Looking For
- Highly experienced in e-commerce buying or inventory management.
- Experience leading seasonal planning and managing high-value purchasing decisions.
- Data-driven with strong commercial judgement, able to make independent decisions.
- Experience in the sports or teamwear industry.
- Collaborative, organised, and proactive in approach.
- A positive and methodical leader, calm under pressure and driven to deliver results.
The Benefits of Working at Direct Soccer
- Mentorship from Directors - Learn directly from senior leaders.
- Training on Industry Tools - Gain hands‑on experience with the systems and software used across the business.
- Supportive Team Culture - Join a collaborative, fast‑paced environment where your ideas are valued.
- Monthly Work Events - Enjoy regular team socials and activities.
- Career Development - Opportunities to grow and shape your future.
Additional benefits include employee discounts, on‑site parking, and a company pension.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Direct Soccer is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Head of Product and Buying in Dundee employer: Direct Soccer
Contact Detail:
Direct Soccer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product and Buying in Dundee
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in e-commerce buying and inventory management. Share specific examples of how you've driven results in past roles to really impress them.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you love, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly and express your interest. Tailor your message to show how your skills align with their goals, especially in areas like data-driven decision making and supplier partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about embracing bold ideas and innovation, so make sure your application reflects that. Use our platform to showcase your unique approach to product strategy and market insights, and let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product and Buying in Dundee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Product and Buying role. Highlight your e-commerce buying experience and any data-driven decision-making you've done in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about the sports or teamwear industry. Share specific examples of how you've driven buying strategies or improved stock management in the past.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since we're all about data-led decision making, be sure to mention any tools like Power BI that you’ve used. We want to see how you’ve used data to inform your buying decisions and improve profitability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Direct Soccer!
How to prepare for a job interview at Direct Soccer
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Product and Buying, you'll need to demonstrate your data-driven approach. Brush up on key metrics related to inventory management, sales performance, and market trends. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to make informed buying decisions.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to talk about your experience in creating and executing seasonal buying plans. Think of specific examples where your strategic planning led to successful outcomes. This will show that you can align with Direct Soccer's growth targets and drive their buying strategy.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Direct Soccer values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked cross-functionally in previous roles. Share examples of how you've collaborated with marketing or other departments to maximise product launches and promotions.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Innovation
With Direct Soccer's commitment to innovation, it's crucial to express your enthusiasm for new technologies and processes. Talk about any experience you have with AI applications or process improvements in your previous roles, and how you can bring that forward to enhance their operations.