Head of Buying – Intimates & Accessories

Ackermans is seeking a Head of Buying for their Intimates & Accessories division. This role involves shaping and executing the product vision for a fast-growing portfolio including underwear, sleepwear, accessories, and hosiery. The successful candidate will partner cross-functionally, lead a passionate buying team, and deliver fashion-forward, customer-loved assortments, focusing on affordability, comfort, and quality for over 1000 stores nationwide.

Must Have

• Shape and execute the product vision for one of the fastest growing portfolios (Underwear, Sleepwear, Accessories and Hosiery) in retail.
• Partner cross-functionally to bring commercially powerful stories to life.
• Lead and mentor a passionate buying team to deliver fashion forward, customer loved assortments.
• Strong understanding of the retail environment, consumer trends, and key business drivers.
• Ability to design and deliver product ranges that balance innovation, value, and customer appeal.
• Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Uses insight, analysis, and performance metrics to guide choices and actions.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment, demonstrating agility and sound judgment.
• A relevant degree /qualification in Fashion, Textile Design /Clothing Production/ Product Development /Merchandising, or a related field.
• Proven experience 5-10 years in a retail buying management capacity, of which 3-5 years should be at a senior level.

Do you have a passion for fashion, strong commercial acumen, and a flair for creating beautiful, customer-loved product ranges? Join South Africa’s leading kids’ retailer as we reimagine the future of our Intimates and Accessories division.Reporting to the Executive: Non-Apparel, you’ll play a key role in bringing our purpose to life in every range that you build. Through thoughtful design choices and a deep understanding of what our families love, you’ll bring affordability, comfort and quality to customers across more than 1000 stores nationwide.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Shape the execute the product vision for one of the fastest growing portfolios (Underwear, Sleepwear, Accessories and Hosiery) in retail.
• Partner cross-functionally to bring commercially powerful stories to life.
• Lead and mentor a passionate buying team to deliver fashion forward, customer loved assortments.

JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring a blend of retail expertise, strategic thinking, and creative flair. Key focus areas include:

• Retail expertise and commercial acumen – strong understanding of the retail environment, consumer trends, and key business drivers.
• Creative and strategic product vision – ability to design and deliver product ranges that balance innovation, value, and customer appeal.
• Leadership and people development – proven ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
• Data-driven decision making – uses insight, analysis, and performance metrics to guide choices and actions.
• Managing ambiguity – thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment, demonstrating agility and sound judgment.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• A relevant degree /qualification in Fashion, Textile Design /Clothing Production/ Product Development /Merchandising, or a related field
• Proven experience 5-10 years in a retail buying management capacity, of which 3-5 years should be at a senior level.

If you ready to lead with heart, inspire with product and help shape the next chapter of our brand, we’d love to hear from you.