Head of Buying Recruitment
Encore Recruitment provides head of buying recruitment as part of our wider buyer recruitment service for fashion and lifestyle businesses across the UK.
Head of buying is a senior leadership role, though the scope can vary materially between businesses.
One role may lead the whole buying function; another may lead a major division, several categories or a group of buying managers.
The title suggests the level. The conversation defines the role. The role shapes the search.
Key Takeaways
- Head of buying describes leadership, not one fixed remit. The role may cover the whole function, a division, several categories or a combination of commercial and people responsibilities.
- Reporting line does not define authority. A head of buying may report to a commercial director or another senior leader, while the level of delegated authority can still vary considerably.
- A recommendation needs evidence of head of buying capability. Encore Recruitment looks at buying strategy, commercial scope, team leadership, decision-making and what still sat above or alongside the role. The candidate also needs a clear view of the opportunity and to agree to be represented. Only then do we recommend them to the client.
What Is the Head of Buying Leading?
A head of buying may lead the entire buying function, a large division or several categories and channels. The team can also vary, from direct leadership of buyers and senior buyers to a structure that includes buying managers.
The commercial remit can include buying strategy, category direction, margin performance, supplier and sourcing priorities and team development.
A role leading one division may carry substantial commercial accountability without owning the whole buying function. Another may sit at the top of buying across the business and work directly with commercial, merchandising, finance or senior leadership.
The brief therefore needs to establish what the person is leading, not rely on the title alone.
Where Does Head of Buying Responsibility Begin and End?
The title does not automatically reveal final authority over budgets, OTB, contracts or every commercial decision.
A head of buying may direct buying priorities, challenge performance and shape sourcing or supplier strategy while financial planning remains shared with merchandising or finance. Contract approval or wider corporate sign-off may sit elsewhere.
Reporting structures vary too. Some heads of buying report to a commercial director or another senior leader. Others sit within a broader buying and merchandising or trading structure.
People leadership also varies. The role may include capability, succession and team structure, although the number of managers or buyers underneath them will differ.
For the search, we need to know the span, the decisions held, what is shared and where escalation moves next.
When Would Encore Recruitment Recommend a Head of Buying?
We establish the function or division involved, the commercial outcomes expected, the team structure, reporting line and where approval sits above or alongside the role.
We then look for evidence of head of buying responsibility: the strategy they have led, the categories or divisions they have been accountable for, the teams they have developed and the decisions they have carried.
A recommendation follows clarity on both sides. We assess and qualify who remains before deciding who we are prepared to recommend. The candidate considers the opportunity and decides whether they want Encore Recruitment to represent them for that specific role.
You can read more about our recruitment process and the Encore Recruitment Recommendation Standard.
FAQ
What is the difference between a buying manager and a head of buying?
A buying manager more consistently leads a buying area or group, while a head of buying may lead a wider function or division. The exact boundary depends on category span, team structure, commercial responsibility and the leadership structure around the role.
Does a head of buying own the OTB?
Not automatically. A head of buying may have significant input into OTB and commercial planning, while forecasting, limits and final approval can remain shared with merchandising, finance or another senior leader.
Who does a head of buying report to?
It varies. A head of buying may report to a commercial director, managing director or another senior leader. Some businesses include another buying leadership layer, while others place head of buying at the top of the function.
Hiring a Head of Buying?
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Considering a Head of Buying Role?
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