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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire our buying teams to drive sales and profit while staying ahead of trends.
- Company: Join Debenhams, Britain's leading online department store with a rich history since 1778.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, health benefits, and up to 40% discount on all brands.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity, innovation, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for fashion and retail metrics are essential.
- Other info: Work in a fast-paced environment where change is embraced and teamwork is key.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
You know all about our high street roots and bricks and mortar stores. Now, we’re looking to the future. Since 2021, we’ve embraced some changes. Debenhams hasn’t made a comeback—we’ve been here since 1778, evolving and adapting to the times. This is Debenhams today – Britain’s Leading Online Department Store.
We are more than a department store—we are an institution. From creating the blueprint for designer collaborations with Designers at Debenhams, to launching countless brands and inventing the beauty counter, we’ve consistently shaped the retail landscape.
We don’t underestimate the power of our brand or the place we hold in people’s hearts. This is only the beginning of the next chapter for Debenhams.
Britain needs Debenhams…..Debenhams needs you!
YOUR TEAM
Our Buying Teams are agile, driven, resilient and see obstacles only as opportunities. We are energetic, positive, fashion lovers, solution seekers, optimists and future thinkers bringing solutions not problems. What a year it has been launching Runway Collection from scratch, Bringing a dream to life and making the magic happen without boundaries. We love to see our teams develop seeing members getting well deserved promotions for their hard work and tenacity.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
We’re on the lookout for a creative and driven Head of Buying to join our amazing team and help us take our brands to new heights. If you love staying ahead of trends, have an eye for what’s commercially right, and want to make a real impact, keep reading – this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
You will lead and guide our buying teams to succeed and drive the sales and profit, understanding the metrics that move the profit dial. You will be obsessed with the numbers, the competition, and dig deep into how you can improve the sales daily whilst managing our impressive team of buyers to help you achieve this strategy.
We want someone who is obsessed with every detail that represents the brand, from the photography to the copy, the marketing, the tone of voice, the quality and everything that sets the product and brand apart.
You will bring all departments on your journey making connections with those in studio, social, CRM, Marketing and more! Have the opportunity to be that all rounder representing the fashion side of the business.
You will bring all suppliers with you – Are they the best? How do you measure them? What does great look like for you?
WORKING WITH US
To succeed here, you have to love working at pace. It’s relentless, but we love it. Change is a certainty – you need to adapt and be agile. We want you to challenge the status quo, innovate and be open to trying new things. We’re always pushing boundaries. We empower our people, giving them freedom and autonomy to learn and grow in their roles. We’re passionate, agile, creative and one team.
MORE ABOUT YOU
You will be able to show your leadership in driving a team with clarity, enthusiasm and support. We want to see your energy, optimism and a will to make the impossible possible.
Being a team player is paramount…no going solo, this is not what we are about…we bring the team along with us, everyone can be on our journey, everyone has a view and no one is less important.
Training and mentoring a team is key.
We are nothing without our team…happy team, happy us….The team should feel engaged and focused and always come first!
Must have a great relationship and respect for the design team.
WHY JOIN US
We’ve set our sights on dominating the global e-commerce fashion market, and because we’re 13 brands (and counting), there are plenty of opportunities to grow your career. Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, their individual differences are valued, and they can be themselves at work without exception.
You’ll get the opportunity to take part in our various share schemes.
Core hours enable you to flex your working times around your needs on an ad hoc basis.
Opportunity to take part in Learning and Development training- expanding your knowledge on areas outside of your day to day.
Benefits that support your health and wellbeing.
There’s up to 40% discount off our all of our brands.
Our social calendar? Next level!
With HQs in Manchester and London and offices across the globe (some are dog friendly!).
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Buying employer: Griffin Fire
Contact Detail:
Griffin Fire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buying
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Debenhams' history and evolution, especially since 2021. Understanding our journey from a high street store to a leading online department store will help you align your vision with ours.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your ability to lead and mentor teams effectively. Highlight any past experiences where you've successfully driven a team towards achieving sales goals while fostering a positive and collaborative environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your passion for fashion and your keen eye for trends. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously identified market opportunities and how you can apply that knowledge to enhance our brand offerings.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasize your agility and adaptability in fast-paced environments. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated change and innovation in your previous roles, as this aligns with our dynamic work culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Brand: Before applying, make sure you have a deep understanding of Debenhams' history and its evolution into an online department store. Highlight your knowledge of their brand values and how they resonate with your personal and professional ethos.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasize your leadership experience and ability to drive a team towards success. Provide specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past and how you plan to do so at Debenhams.
Demonstrate Commercial Acumen: Illustrate your understanding of retail metrics and how they influence buying decisions. Discuss your experience with sales strategies and how you can contribute to driving profit for Debenhams.
Emphasize Team Collaboration: Highlight your ability to work collaboratively across departments. Mention any past experiences where you successfully partnered with design, marketing, or other teams to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Griffin Fire
✨Show Your Passion for Fashion
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the fashion industry and your understanding of current trends. Share examples of how you've stayed ahead of trends in your previous roles, and how you can bring that knowledge to Debenhams.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you have successfully guided teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where you motivated your team, drove results, and fostered a collaborative environment.
✨Know the Numbers
Be ready to talk about key metrics that drive sales and profit in the retail sector. Show your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to make informed buying decisions and improve performance.
✨Emphasize Team Collaboration
Debenhams values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively with cross-functional teams. Discuss how you can bring different departments together to achieve common goals and enhance the brand's presence.
