LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY – BUYING DIRECTOR EUROPE (LEADING HEALTH & BEAUTY RETAILER)
Job Title: Buying Director, Europe
Reporting To: Director - Western Europe
Location: Slough or Weybridge
Salary: £100,000–£120,000 (depending on experience)
Package: Car Allowance, Private Medical, Pension, Holiday Allowance, Product Discounts, Onsite Parking
Type: Full Time, Permanent (Hybrid: 3 office / 2 home)
Overview
We are seeking an ambitious and commercially astute Buying Director to lead and evolve our health & beauty buying strategy across Europe. With a remit spanning multiple international markets, this high-profile role offers the opportunity to shape the product vision, drive category growth, and strengthen supplier partnerships at scale.
As a key member of the leadership team, you’ll be responsible for creating a forward-thinking, trend-led product offering across own-label, branded, and exclusive ranges – ensuring we remain competitive and relevant in an ever-changing global retail environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Set and deliver the long-term European buying strategy across health, beauty, wellness, and personal care, in line with business growth objectives.
* Inspire, coach, and lead a high-performing buying team, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and accountability.
* Develop differentiated category plans using insights, data, and European market trends to drive sales and margin growth.
* Own supplier relationships and sourcing strategies, building international partnerships that unlock exclusivity, innovation, and scale.
* Define promotional and pricing strategies that balance short-term trading success with sustainable long-term value.
* Partner closely with marketing, supply chain, digital, and finance to deliver seamless execution across all European channels.
* Influence at board level, providing commercial leadership and input into transformation and expansion initiatives.
* Be the customer champion, ensuring product ranges are trend-led, relevant, and aligned with evolving consumer needs across European markets.
Required experience and background
* Proven leadership in a senior buying or trading role – ideally within Health, Beauty, FMCG or Retail
* Strategic mindset with the ability to balance vision with delivery, long-term growth with short-term results
* Strong supplier relationship and negotiation expertise, with experience driving large-scale joint business plans
* A track record of leading, developing and inspiring buying teams across multiple categories
* Highly analytical and confident using data to inform decisions and shape strategy
* Strong understanding of customer behaviour, category drivers and the competitive retail landscape
* A collaborative, influential leader, comfortable operating at senior executive level
This is a rare chance to shape the future of health and beauty retail during an exciting period of momentum and innovation. If you’re a strategic, commercially-minded leader ready to make a big impact – we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today or reach out directly: tom.richards@harbourneassociates.com