Hunkemöller

Head of Buying

Hunkemöller  •  Kingdom of the Netherlands (Onsite)  •  21 days ago
Expired
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Job Description

AboutHunkemöller

AtHunkemöller, we create moments that matter, together. As Europe’s leading lingerie brand, we combine heritage, innovation, and a deep understanding of ourcustomerto 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, andpeopleleadership, 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 Productorganisation, 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 Productorganisation

  • 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.

What you will do

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 commercialadvantage

Deliver end-to-end execution

  • Own end-to-end Buying execution, ensuring strong governance, clearprioritisation, 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-functionalpartnersso 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 Productorganisation

  • Bring energy, clarity, and leadership to senior discussions, helping shape business planning and strategic direction.

What success looks like

  • Customer-right, brand-right ranges that are clear, relevant, and commercially strong.

  • On-time, trade-ready launchessupportedby strong critical-path ownership and cross-functional alignment.

  • Improved margin and better value creation through smart costing, negotiation, and sourcing choices.

  • A high-performing Buying team with strong ownership, clear priorities, and room to grow.

Who you are

  • You are 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 andprioritisation

  • Proven leader who inspires teams and drives change in a fast-paced retail environment.

  • Collaborative, confident in constructivechallenge, and acts with integrity.

  • Commercially astute, resilient, andoutcome-driven

  • Challenges the status quo and delivers results under pressure.

Skills & Competencies

  • 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—leveragingthe Toolbox—across categories to improve margin, speed, and operational efficiency.

  • Solid experience in production planning, including capacity considerations, lead-timeoptimisation, 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, includingoptiondepth, 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 Buyingsystems(PLM, SAP) andcritical-pathmanagement.

  • Comfortable operating at pace, makingprioritisationand trade-off decisions in complex, fast-moving environments.

Are you a strategic and commercial Buying leader ready to shape the future of product at Hunkemöller? We are looking for a Head of Buying who can bring vision, pace, and excellence to our product organisation while creating customer-focused ranges that drive growth across channels.

Hunkemöller

About Hunkemöller

Welcome to Hunkemöller, Europe’s leading lingerie brand with a proud history dating back to 1886. With over 900 stores across 19 countries, our mission is simple: to make every woman feel her most beautiful and authentic self. From life’s everyday moments to its most significant occasions, we believe lingerie plays an essential role in expressing individuality, style, and confidence. Every day is filled with new possibilities, and at Hunkemöller, we embrace each one.

Our story is more than just about lingerie — it’s about our passionate teams who work together to create memorable moments for our customers. Whether it’s providing everyday essentials or celebrating special occasions, our employees are at the heart of everything we do.

At Hunkemöller, we live in the moment and make every day count. Our values — Empowering, Playful, In-touch, Inclusive, Inspiring, and Responsible — guide our actions and shape our company culture. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, dynamic, and supportive work environment where every individual can thrive. From team bonding activities and social events to professional development opportunities, we ensure that our employees feel valued, supported, and part of something special.

We are also proud to be recognized as a Top Employer in the Netherlands for 2025, marking eight consecutive years of recognition. With similar accolades in Germany and Denmark, this reflects our unwavering commitment to our people and our focus on creating an exceptional workplace.

Curious to learn more about the Hunkemöller lifestyle? Discover how we’re creating moments that matter — together.

Industry
Retail & Ecommerce
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Hilversum, NL
Year Founded
1886
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