Head of Buying in London

Head of Buying in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Whistles

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Buying function and shape a compelling product strategy at Whistles.
  • Company: Join Whistles, a London-based style destination known for timeless design.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and individuality.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on product excellence and drive brand relevance in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Extensive buying experience with a track record of profitable growth and team leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to lead the Buying function at Whistles. You'll be responsible for shaping and delivering a compelling product strategy that brings our collections to life, balancing creative vision with strong commercial performance.

Reporting directly to our Commercial Director, the Head of Buying role is pivotal in driving product excellence, profitability and sustainable growth across the brand. You'll own the end-to-end product journey ensuring we consistently meet both customer expectations and business goals. This role is a key part of the brand leadership team, contributing to the wider strategic direction of the business. You'll work closely with cross-functional leaders and engage regularly with the Brand and wider Group stakeholders to deliver against our commercial and brand ambitions.

Key accountabilities and KPIs include:

  • Product Strategy and Commercial Performance
  • Sourcing, Margin and Supply Base Management
  • Customer and Market Insight
  • People and Leadership

This is an exciting opportunity to use your extensive buying expertise to shape a distinctive, premium product offer and drive sales, margin and brand relevance in a fast-paced environment. Your leadership will inspire, coach and develop a high-performing team, enabling them to thrive both professionally and personally.

Who you'll be:

To be successful in this role, you'll bring the following skills and experience:

  • Extensive experience in a senior buying role with a strong track record of delivering profitable growth, managing margins and influencing overall business performance
  • Proven ability to define and deliver a clear product vision, balancing creativity, customer insight and commerciality across categories
  • Deep understanding of global sourcing strategies, supplier management and margin optimisation, with a focus on quality, sustainability and long‐term partnerships
  • Strong experience managing the critical path, range planning and in‐season trading, with the ability to make informed, agile decisions to maximise performance
  • An inspiring and inclusive leader who builds high‐performing teams, fosters collaboration across design, merchandising and technical functions, and leads with authenticity and emotional intelligence
  • A strong awareness of market trends, competitor activity and customer needs, using insight to shape relevant and commercially successful ranges
  • Confident in using data and insights to inform decisions, identify opportunities and clearly communicate performance to a wide range of stakeholders

This is a brilliant opportunity to lead a talented Buying team and play a key role in shaping the future of the Whistles brand.

About Us

DISTINCT, DIRECTIONAL AND CONSIDERED DESIGN. Whistles is a London‐based style destination known for timeless design, curating must‐have pieces and wardrobe signatures that elevate the everyday. Capturing the spirit of modern dressing distinctively, we curate contemporary collections that seek to empower us with a strong sense of independence and individuality.

TFG London Inclusion and Diversity statement of commitment: At TFG London and across all our brands we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes, develops and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, cultural references and ideas and opinions within our business. We are working together to ensure our environment is one where difference is not only respected but encouraged and celebrated and people can bring their authentic, unique selves to work, where their contribution is valued, ability enhanced, and perspective appreciated.

Head of Buying in London employer: Whistles

Whistles is an exceptional employer that champions creativity and collaboration in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer a dynamic work culture that values diversity and inclusion, empowering our team members to thrive both professionally and personally. As the Head of Buying, you'll not only lead a talented team but also play a pivotal role in shaping our brand's future, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world's fashion capitals.

Whistles

Contact Detail:

Whistles Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Buying in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and engage on social media. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Buying role.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your past successes in buying and product strategy. This will help you stand out during interviews and discussions.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Whistles, and express your interest in potential opportunities. You never know what might come up!

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying in London

Product Strategy
Commercial Performance
Sourcing Strategies
Supplier Management
Margin Optimisation
Quality Assurance
Sustainability Practices

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your extensive buying expertise and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive profitable growth.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Buying role. Share your vision for product strategy and how you plan to balance creativity with commercial performance.

Showcase Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, be sure to include examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past. We want to see your emotional intelligence and collaborative spirit!

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 Whistles!

How to prepare for a job interview at Whistles

Know Your Product Strategy

Before the interview, dive deep into Whistles' current product offerings and their market positioning. Be ready to discuss how you would shape a compelling product strategy that aligns with their brand vision while driving profitability.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams, as well as how you foster collaboration across different functions like design and merchandising.

Understand Market Trends

Stay updated on the latest fashion trends and competitor activities. Be prepared to share insights on how these factors influence customer needs and how you would leverage this knowledge to create commercially successful ranges.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Demonstrate your confidence in using data to inform your decisions. Bring examples of how you've used customer insights and performance metrics to identify opportunities and drive product excellence in your previous roles.