Head Buying jobs

About the Role
At Kathmandu, we believe the best products are created by people who truly live and breathe the outdoors.
We’re looking for a Buyer – Outdoor Apparel who not only brings strong commercial acumen, but a genuine passion for outdoor adventure — someone who understands how product performs in real environments and what customers need when they’re out there.
Reporting to the Head Buyer, you’ll shape seasonal apparel ranges that balance performance, innovation and commercial success — helping us deliver gear our customers trust in the wild.

What You’ll Be Responsible For
Range & Lifecycle Planning

• Build seasonal assortments grounded in customer insight, market trends and real-world outdoor use
• Identify opportunities and gaps across categories, ensuring a commercially balanced range
• Analyse performance to continuously refine and elevate future ranges
• Partner with Product and Design to create technically credible, innovation-led apparel
• Ensure ranges align with Kathmandu’s sustainability commitments and outdoor heritage
• Balance carryover and newness to support strong inventory flow and customer relevance

Financial Planning & Inventory Management

• Manage sales, inventory and open-to-buy within budget parameters
• Drive in-season performance through thoughtful promotional planning
• Maximise sales and margin through strong product storytelling and execution
• Deliver stock turn targets and manage markdowns effectively

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with VM, Marketing and Retail teams to bring product stories to life
• Incorporate store and customer feedback into range decisions
• Support campaigns with authentic product insight and storytelling

Product Expertise & Market Awareness

• Build deep knowledge of technical fabrics, performance features and outdoor applications
• Stay close to competitor activity and emerging trends across outdoor and lifestyle apparel
• Bring a customer-first lens shaped by real outdoor experience

What You’ll Bring

• Experience in Buying or a similar product role within apparel or retail
• A genuine passion for the outdoors — whether that’s hiking, camping, skiing, travel or adventure
• Strong commercial and analytical capability
• Ability to translate global trends into products that resonate with customers
• End-to-end product lifecycle experience
• Excellent merchandising skills and attention to detail
• Advanced Excel skills
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence across teams

Why You’ll Love Working With Us
At Kathmandu, we believe your job should enrich your life — not just fill your time. When you join our team, you get access to a range of genuinely valuable benefits:

• A brand with purpose
• We are B Corp certified — sustainability and people are at the heart of everything we do. Work for a business that prioritises protecting the planet and giving back.
• Gear you’ll love at prices you’ll love more
• Generous staff discounts across Kathmandu and Rip Curl. Access to additional perks across our wider brand family.
• Grow with us
• Meaningful career opportunities across stores, support offices, and distribution in Australia and New Zealand. Pathways into retail leadership, product, design, marketing, and more.
• A culture built on teamwork and adventure
• Work alongside people who share your passion for the outdoors. Be part of a supportive, fun and inclusive team environment.

About Kathmandu…
Kathmandu is a leading global outdoor brand whose journey began in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 1987. We believe out there is where we thrive. It liberates, challenges, and inspires us. Our gear is built to empower, so more people can embrace adventure. It’s tested in New Zealand’s wildest conditions — because if it performs here, it can handle anywhere. As a proud certified B Corp, we prioritise people and planet in everything we do — out of respect for the natural world that inspires us. Our pioneering approach to sustainable innovation ensures every product is built to perform and made with a lighter impact on the environment.

We've been out there for almost 40 years living our best lives. Now you can too. Join us on our mission to improve the wellbeing of the world through the great outdoors.

Ready to Start Your Next Adventure?
If you're passionate about creating great customer experiences and love the idea of inspiring others to explore the outdoors, we want to meet you.

Apply now and join us at Kathmandu — where every day is a step toward something bigger.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands
At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone.

We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.