Global Head of Buying
Role: Global Head of Buying
Location: London, Hybrid-Remote
Contract: Permanent
Basis: Full-time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: Competitive
We have an exciting new opportunity for a Global Head of Buying to lead our Buying team. This role will be based in our London office and is hybrid remote, with three days in the office. Some travel to our places of business and suppliers' places of business including overseas travel will be required.
For over 40 years, Rough Trade has been trusted by customers and the music industry to shine a spotlight on the best new music from all over the world. This has afforded Rough Trade a unique role and scope of opportunity within the UK and Global music retail industry. There is no other music retail shopping experience quite like that offered by Rough Trade. This role is a unique chance to be part of something truly special within the music retail landscape, and for the right candidate to truly make their mark.
The Global Head of Buying will be responsible for developing and executing a cohesive product and buying strategy that supports Rough Trade’s unique brand and cultural mission across the UK, EU, and US markets. This role will oversee buying operations for all Rough Trade locations, ensuring that our curated offerings reflect both local and global music trends while maximising profitability.
This role reports directly to the Managing Director.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and implement a global buying strategy that aligns with Rough Trade’s mission and enhances our reputation for offering innovative, carefully curated products across all categories, including vinyl, merchandise, books, and exclusives.
* Conduct ongoing analysis of music and retail trends across different regions, using insights to shape buying decisions and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
* Lead and mentor a diverse buying team, promoting professional development and fostering a collaborative, innovative environment.
* Implement comprehensive controls and processes that empower your team to get the work done in a scalable way.
* Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, labels, and distributors across territories, securing exclusive editions, direct partnerships, and limited-run products to enhance Rough Trade’s unique offering.
* Oversee global inventory management, balancing stock across stores to maximise availability and minimise waste while ensuring a consistent, compelling product assortment.
* Work closely with marketing, operations, and finance teams to align buying strategies with promotional campaigns, in-store events, and financial goals.
* Track and analyse sales performance across stores, adjusting buying plans and strategies to optimise results.
* Manage the buying budget effectively, ensuring alignment with revenue targets and financial goals.
* Ensure a seamless omnichannel buying strategy that supports both brick-and-mortar and E-Commerce operations, leveraging digital sales data and customer insights to refine product selections.
* Monitor and report on key buying KPIs, including sales performance, sell-through rates, margin targets, and stock turnover, making data-driven adjustments as needed.
Requirements
* At least 7 years experience in a senior buying role within a multi-regional or global retail business, ideally in the music or lifestyle sectors.
* Strong understanding of music retail and consumer trends across UK, EU, and US markets.
* Proven leadership experience, with a track record of successfully developing and managing high-performing teams.
* Excellent negotiation skills and established relationships within the music industry are highly advantageous.
* Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making.
* Ability to travel to Rough Trade locations as needed and adapt to varying market demands.
* Experience working with Shopify is a plus but not essential.
At Rough Trade we value diversity and inclusion across everything that we do. From the records that we sell to the events that we hold, to the incredible people that work in our business every day, we are committed to delivering the best possible experience for everybody.
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