Head of Buying Jet at TFG (The Foschini Group)

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.
• Maintain and grow market share while proactively countering competitor activity
• 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
Qualifications and Experience:

• Must have a relevant Business Degree
• 4-5 years at senior level with people leadership.
• Minimum 10 years relevant Retail buying/merchandise experience 
• 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

Skills: 

• Analytical processes & numerical acuity (financial ratios, KPI tracking).
• Ability to drive change, persuade and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Commercial acumen and trade management (W/M/Q rhythm).
• Range building & assortment architecture (good–better–best).
• Product development & product testing.
• Supplier management & contract/terms negotiation (local & offshore).
• Quick Response (QR) & in‑season trading.
• Planning & organising; critical‑path management.
• Market research & competitor benchmarking.
• Office systems and CAD proficiency.
• Policy & procedures; requirements analysis.
• Stakeholder management and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Global sourcing exposure.
• Thrives under pressure and delivers to tight deadlines with strong problem‑solving.
• Exceptional analytical ability to evaluate and drive functional KPIs (sales growth, GP%, stock turn, clearance).
• Strong written and verbal communication across all levels of the organisation.
• Proven leadership in attracting, growing and motivating team members.
• Demonstrated ability to drive merchandise strategy with innovative, trend‑led thinking and strong commercial outcomes.
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.

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