Head of Buying

Surrey/Hampshire Border | Retail Sector | Full Time

An established and highly successful multi-site retail business in the South East is seeking an experienced Head of Buying to lead and develop its purchasing function.

This newly created role offers an excellent opportunity for an accomplished buying or procurement professional looking to take the next step into a broader leadership position. Reporting into senior leadership, you will lead an established team of buyers and category specialists, driving structure, accountability, commercial performance, and team development.

The Role

You will be responsible for managing and developing a team of purchasing professionals, implementing robust processes and performance measures, and ensuring the buying function supports the wider commercial objectives of the business.

Acting as the key link between the purchasing team and senior management, you will provide hands-on leadership while remaining involved in strategic and operational procurement activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop an established buying team.
• Introduce and monitor KPIs, objectives and performance measures.
• Create structure, consistency and best practice across the purchasing function.
• Act as the primary liaison between the buying team and senior leadership.
• Support and mentor team members through regular reviews and development plans.
• Step into category management and buying activities when required.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Oversee the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, from strategy and sourcing through to supplier management.
• Analyse supplier performance, spend data and market trends.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, value creation and commercial improvement.
• Support annual business and procurement strategy planning.
• Drive continuous improvement and high standards of accountability across the department.

Experience & Skills

• Previous experience leading and developing purchasing, buying or category management teams.
• Extensive buying, procurement or commercial sourcing experience.
• Strong analytical, financial and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing the full procurement lifecycle.
• Ability to develop and deliver procurement and sourcing strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior leadership teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Confident working in a fast-paced environment and managing competing priorities.
• Experience within a similar multi-site retail, consumer goods, wholesale or distribution environment.

What's On Offer?

• Competitive salary package.
• Generous staff discount scheme.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• Clear long-term career progression prospects.
• Enhanced holiday entitlement with service-related increases.
• Company pension scheme.
• Free on-site parking.