Team Lead Buyer (Footwear Merchandising)

Are you an experienced merchandising professional with a passion for Footwear and a sharp eye for market trends? We are looking for a Team Lead Buyer (Footwear Merchandising) to join our dynamic trading team.

This is not a technical production role. We need a commercial powerhouse who can take full ownership of the end-to-end sourcing process - from strategic product development and vendor collaboration to leading a high-performing team of buyers.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and empower a team of Purchasing to achieve departmental goals and individual KPIs.
• Understand customer needs and requirements then translate them into effective sourcing strategies.
• Identify and negotiate with suppliers to meet product specifications and achieve cost efficiency.
• Support the product development process, ensuring alignment with quality standards and budget expectations.
• Coordinate with the Supply Chain team to meet corporate and customer satisfaction, ensuring both quality standards and on-time delivery.
• Build and maintain strong business relationships with vendors to support product development and production.
• Contribute to ad-hoc projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by Management.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; background in Merchandising, Fashion, or Garment is a plus
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the Footwear industry, with a strong preference for candidates from a manufacturing or trading background. Comprehensive knowledge of both woven and knit footwear construction is essential.
• At least 2 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role, with a proven track record of managing and developing a recruitment or sourcing team.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of merchandising and product development processes with a strong production follow-up track record.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — able to collaborate across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to work independently and proactively.
• Fluent in English
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Willing to travel occasionally as business requires.