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- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for footwear and accessories, overseeing product selection and brand partnerships.
- Company: Footasylum is a leading retailer known for style, innovation, and a passion for fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced team that values creativity, diversity, and pushing boundaries in fashion.
- Qualifications: 8+ years of buying experience with strong leadership and trend-spotting skills required.
- Other info: This role is based in Greater Manchester with a hybrid working model.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Description
We’re looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Footwear and Accessories Buying to lead the strategy, range, and execution for one of our most important product areas. This is a unique opportunity to influence both 3rd party brand partnerships and our own-brand collections, ensuring Footasylum continues to lead in style, relevance, and innovation for our target consumer in the UK and across the globe.
Working closely with our Chief Product Officer, you’ll set the long-term direction for footwear and accessories while keeping us ahead of the market and competition.
The Role
- Lead and deliver the long-term Footwear & Accessories buying strategy.
- Oversee seasonal range planning and product selection for both 3rd party brands and own brand.
- Manage brand budget planning in alignment with Merchandising.
- Build strategic, long-term relationships with key global brands.
- Ensure ranges resonate with our customer and reflect our brand DNA.
- Coach and develop the buying team, ensuring clear goals, feedback, and career growth.
- Play a key role on the Footasylum Leadership Team to deliver overall business goals.
About You
You’ll be a commercially savvy leader with:
- 8+ years’ buying experience with a proven track record in leadership.
- Expertise in building and executing buying strategies for multiple product categories.
- A relationship-builder who can partner with top global brands and inspire internal teams.
- The ability to spot trends early and pivot fast to meet evolving consumer needs.
- Experience in budget planning, negotiation, and margin achievement.
- A forward-thinking approach that blends creativity with commercial results.
The Team
You’ll head up our Footwear and Accessories Buying function, collaborating with cross-functional teams including Merchandising, Apparel, and Marketing. Your team will be at the forefront of trend spotting, range planning, and brand negotiations—delivering a product offer that excites customers in our stores and online.
We’re a fast-paced, passionate group that loves to push boundaries, challenge norms, and deliver best-in-class ranges season after season.
Diversity
We recognise and value the importance of diversity to help make sure we have lots of different perspectives when we are building products and services. We know that this will help us build useful and accessible things which our customers will love. This is great news for our business. Diversity for us is also, importantly, about building happy teams full of people that want to learn and want to be inspired by each other and our different experiences and backgrounds.
Recruitment Process
We’ll help make the interview process as transparent and stress-free as possible.
We review applications individually, and if we feel you would be a good fit, we’ll invite you for a call or Teams video for an informal chat about the role and to see if we’re a good fit for you.
We value open and honest conversations and collaboration, allowing you to learn about our work in an informal and friendly environment. We want to know about you and why you feel this is your opportunity.
Please note this is not a remote role, and we expect that you will be able to attend Head Office in a hybrid way in Greater Manchester.
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Head of Footwear And Accessories Buying employer: Footasylum
Contact Detail:
Footasylum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Footwear And Accessories Buying
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in footwear and accessories. Follow industry leaders on social media, subscribe to relevant publications, and attend trade shows if possible. This knowledge will help you engage in insightful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the buying and merchandising sectors. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with others who have experience in similar roles. Building these relationships can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous buying strategies and how they led to successful outcomes. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built relationships with brands and managed budgets effectively, as this will demonstrate your expertise and leadership capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Footasylum's current product offerings and brand partnerships. Understanding their market position and customer base will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your vision aligns with their goals during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Footwear And Accessories Buying
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in buying, leadership, and strategy development. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage product categories and build relationships with brands.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for footwear and accessories, as well as your vision for the role. Mention how your experience aligns with the company's goals and values, particularly in terms of diversity and innovation.
Showcase Your Achievements: In your application, include quantifiable achievements from your previous roles, such as successful product launches, budget management, or team development. This will help demonstrate your commercial savvy and leadership skills.
Prepare for the Interview: Think about potential questions related to trend spotting, brand partnerships, and team management. Be ready to discuss your approach to building strategies and how you would contribute to Footasylum's goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Footasylum
✨Showcase Your Buying Strategy Expertise
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in developing and executing buying strategies. Highlight specific examples where your strategic decisions led to successful product launches or improved sales figures.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Be ready to share stories about how you've built and maintained relationships with key global brands. Emphasise your negotiation skills and how these partnerships have benefited your previous employers.
✨Stay Ahead of Trends
Research current trends in footwear and accessories before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you identify trends early and adapt strategies to meet changing consumer needs, showcasing your forward-thinking approach.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Development
Discuss your experience in coaching and developing teams. Share examples of how you've set clear goals, provided feedback, and supported career growth for your team members, aligning with the company's focus on collaboration and diversity.
