Head of Buying

Hunkemöller•Deerfield, IL

About The Position

About Hunkemöller At Hunkemöller, we create moments that matter, together. As Europe’s leading lingerie brand, we combine heritage, innovation, and a deep understanding of our customer to build inspiring products and experiences. We are transforming the way we work across product creation, sourcing, and go-to-market, and this role will be central to that journey. If you are energized by pace, product, and people leadership, this is an opportunity to make a real impact. Your impact You will lead the Buying function to deliver a compelling, profitable, and customer-focused product offer across all channels. You will own end-to-end seasonal buying execution, ensuring strong range architecture, on-time delivery, and commercially sound buy decisions. You will play a key leadership role within the Product organisation, balancing strategic direction with hands-on execution and cross-functional collaboration. You will be accountable for category performance, driving margin, value, and long-term business growth. Reporting line and key partnerships Reporting to the Director of Buying & Technical, you will work as a senior leader within the Product organisation. You will partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Technical, Operations, Marketing, IT, Logistics, CSR, suppliers, and channel teams. You will build strong relationships across the business to align product vision, sourcing decisions, and go-to-market execution.

Requirements

Proven senior Buying leadership experience within fashion retail, with deep end-to-end ownership from concept through to production and trade.
Strong, hands-on experience in open costing, including cost-breakdown analysis, margin engineering, and supplier negotiations.
Demonstrated ability to drive material/component consolidation strategies—leveraging the Toolbox—across categories to improve margin, speed, and operational efficiency.
Solid experience in production planning, including capacity considerations, lead-time optimisation, and alignment of buy decisions to GTM calendars.
Experience influencing upstream value-chain cost drivers, including engagement with second- and third-tier suppliers and/or nominated sub-suppliers (raw materials, components, and processing/finishing).
Deep understanding of product build-up, including option depth, buy quantities, phasing, and readiness for on-time, trade-ready launches.
Commercially astute, able to balance product ambition, customer needs, cost, margin, and execution realities.
Strong communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to manage ambiguity, set priorities, and deliver under pressure.
Proficient in Buying systems (PLM, SAP) and critical-path management.
Comfortable operating at pace, making prioritisation and trade-off decisions in complex, fast-moving environments.
Passionate about product and deeply connected to the customer.
Deep understanding of the lingerie, apparel, and swim market, with proven end-to-end business acumen and commercial instinct.
Strategic, analytical thinker with the ability to translate insight into clear execution and prioritisation.
Proven leader who inspires teams and drives change in a fast-paced retail environment.
Collaborative, confident in constructive challenge, and acts with integrity.
Commercially astute, resilient, and outcome-driven.
Challenges the status quo and delivers results under pressure.

Responsibilities

Lead product excellence: Lead and inspire the Buying team to deliver aspirational, brand-right, and commercially strong product ranges. Embed deep customer understanding into assortment decisions, ensuring relevance across categories, channels, and seasons. Partner cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising, Technical, Marketing, and Operations to deliver ranges that are both exciting and executable. Drive excellence in product build-up, buy readiness, and launch execution.
Own sourcing, costing, and value creation: Lead a proactive and data-driven approach to costing, supplier planning, and forecast accuracy. Use open costing and smart negotiation to improve margin while protecting product quality and brand standards. Drive consolidation strategies across categories, components, and materials to simplify the product landscape and unlock scale benefits. Build strong supplier partnerships and increase transparency across the value chain to create long-term commercial advantage.
Deliver end-to-end execution: Own end-to-end Buying execution, ensuring strong governance, clear prioritisation, and on-time delivery across the critical path. Act as a senior gatekeeper for key milestones, ensuring product development moves forward with pace and discipline. Lead go-to-market execution with cross-functional partners so launches are trade-ready and aligned to commercial goals. Strengthen ways of working, data quality, and operational discipline across the product lifecycle.
Drive commercial performance: Work in close partnership with Merchandising on seasonal trade, range architecture, and in-season performance. Shape line plans, option depth, and price architecture that reflect customer needs, channel strategy, and brand direction. Create a strong trading culture that drives productivity, agility, and proactive decision-making. Make commercial decisions that balance product ambition, margin, speed, risk, and production feasibility.
Lead people and transformation: Coach and develop a high-performing Buying team with clear accountability, strong capability building, and succession planning. Act as a transformation leader, embedding new ways of working, governance, and operating discipline across the Product organisation. Bring energy, clarity, and leadership to senior discussions, helping shape business planning and strategic direction.