Head of Buying: Fabiani & G-Star Raw at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Job Description

• Within this portfolio, our premium menswear brands, Fabiani and G‑Star, are loved by both local and international customers and present an exciting opportunity for a Head of Buying to shape the next phase of growth. This role is accountable for setting the overall buying strategy and leading high‑performing teams to deliver commercially successful, trend‑relevant assortments, strong supplier partnerships, and sustained brand and category performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the buying team to conceptualise and implement the merchandise strategy in line with overall company strategy.
• Deliver turnover growth and margin through strong range planning, pricing, and in‑season trade actions.
• Execute the product/range strategy across store and online in collaboration with suppliers, planning, marketing, logistics and store operations.
• Build and manage sustainable supplier relationships (local & offshore) to ensure capability, quality and agility.
• Negotiate commercial terms in line with margin, service and quality targets.
• Manage stock levels using seasonal forecasts and QR/in‑season trading, including replenishment where applicable.
• Ensure supply reliability through robust critical‑path ownership and proactive risk mitigation.
• Drive product development and testing to land trend‑right, quality product at speed.
• Lead and develop the team, ensuring effective resourcing, clear context and a strong talent pipeline.
• Own the purchasing strategy and activity, ensuring optimal supplier performance and cost.
• Develop and implement functional strategies that add value, mitigate supply risk and deliver savings.
• Partner across functions (Planning, Design, Sourcing/QA, Marketing, Logistics, Online) to meet corporate and growth objectives.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis, international and local benchmarking, and buying trips to inform seasonal direction.
• Maintain a financial cadence (week/month/quarter) to optimise sales, GP%, stock turn and clearance.

Qualifications

• Must have a relevant business‑related Degree

Experience

• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience at a senior level, with proven people leadership
• Minimum of 10 years’ retail buying/merchandise experience
• Minimum 5+ years’ menswear retail buying/merchandise experience
• Proven experience working with private label (own brand) apparel, including collaboration with
• Design, Trend, and Product Development teams
• Proven experience working with franchise or external branded merchandise within a retail environment. 
• Proven track record building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships (local & offshore).
• Experience leading a purchasing/buying function, delivering effective sourcing and purchasing strategies.
• Proven track record of managing and leading high performing teams 

Behaviours: 

• Being Resilient - rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Building Effective Teams - forms, develops and leads a group of individuals toward the achievement of a common team objective
• Cultivates Innovation - creates an environment that fosters and nurtures a culture of creativity which drives success
• Decision Quality - consistently makes timely, well-rounded and informed decisions
• Drives Engagement - inspires, motivates and empowers individuals to go above and beyond for the benefit of the team and the organisation
• Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
• Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation.