Senior Buyer - Footwear

The role

We are now looking for an experienced and creative Senior Buyer - Footwear to lead the development and delivery of our occasion wear footwear offering across some of our biggest and most loved brands.

As our Senior Buyer in Footwear, you'll be responsible for creating and delivering a trend led, commercial, and highly desirable footwear range that complements Debenhams' iconic occasion wear portfolio. You'll own the full end-to-end buying process, work closely with key brand partners, and drive strategy across product, margin, pricing and supplier relationships.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, knows how to translate elevated trends into commercially successful product, and is confident leading negotiations and cross-functional strategy.

What you will be doing

• Lead the buying strategy for occasion footwear across multiple Debenhams brands, ensuring ranges are trend driven, innovative and customer-focused.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and global sourcing partners, negotiating costs, terms and exclusives to drive margin and value.
• Oversee product development from concept through to sign-off - ensuring quality, fit, and detailing meet brand standards.
• Monitor sales performance, key KPIs and market trends to optimise range planning, forecasting and in-season trading.
• Ensure all product aligns with seasonal direction, customer insights, sustainability considerations and critical path milestones.
• Collaborate closely with Merchandising, Design, Marketing and E-commerce to deliver impactful collections and launches.
• Champion continuous improvement across buying processes, product strategy and supply chain efficiency.
• Act as a senior leader within the category - coaching Junior Buyers/ABs and elevating ways of working.

What you can bring

• Significant experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer within footwear - occasion wear and dress footwear experience strongly preferred.
• A proven track record of building compelling, commercial product ranges that outperform targets.
• Deep understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, pricing and manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation skills and confidence managing global suppliers across multiple territories.
• Excellent commercial awareness, trend interpretation, and customer insight.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced digital retail environment with shifting priorities.
• A collaborative mindset - strong communicator and relationship-builder across all levels.
• Creative, proactive and able to balance big-picture strategy with meticulous attention to detail.

Why Join Us?

• You'll get the opportunity to take part in our various share schemes

• Core hours enable you to flex your working times around your needs on an ad hoc basis
• Benefits that support your health and wellbeing
• There's up to 40% discount off our all of our brands
• Our social calendar? Next level
• With HQs in Manchester and London and offices across the globe (some are dog friendly!), we offer a buzzing atmosphere and the boohoo family culture wherever you work