Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Susan Hilton

Ramsbottom,Bury

Summary

Innovative Head of Buying with knack for driving supplier negotiations and enhancing product selection. Led teams to optimise inventory management and boost profitability through strategic sourcing. Delivered significant improvements in cost savings and supplier relationships, consistently aligning purchasing strategies with market trends and consumer demand.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work history

Head of Buying Heating and Bathrooms

Limitless Digital Group
11.2016 - 09.2025
  • Lead the Heating and Bathroom Buying team, driving strategic range development and performance delivery.
  • Oversaw the Product Information Management (PIM) team, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all product data.
  • Conducted in-depth market analysis and buying pattern reviews to inform and deliver trend-led, customer-focused range plans.
  • Attended international trade shows to identify opportunities and curate innovative product collections.
  • Presented commercial strategies, range plans, and product launches to senior leadership and Directors.
  • Reviewed weekly and monthly trading performance across all platforms, identifying risks and opportunities to maximise growth.
  • Built and maintained strong supplier partnerships while strategically sourcing and onboarding new suppliers to enhance competitiveness.
  • Negotiated supplier terms, including pricing, contracts, and shipment agreements, to optimise profitability.
  • Ensured all products met compliance and regulatory standards, safeguarding quality and brand integrity.
  • Managed the commercialisation of both new and existing products, overseeing pricing strategy, margin analysis, sales channel optimisation, shipping models, and brand positioning.
  • Collaborated closely with Purchasing and Marketing to align on upcoming product launches and category strategies.
  • Directed the product critical path, ensuring timely delivery from concept to launch.
  • Introduced and embedded best-practice procedures across the Buying function and wider teams to improve efficiency and accountability.
  • Set, monitored, and drove achievement of personal and team KPIs, fostering a high-performance culture.
  • Key Skills

Product Manager - Heating

Limitless Digital Group
05.2016 - 11.2016
  • Developed and delivered tailored range plans for each trading platform to maximise commercial performance.
  • Identified and capitalised on missed opportunities across UK and European markets to drive growth.
  • Sourced products and negotiated competitive cost prices with suppliers across China and Europe, strengthening profitability.
  • Presented proposed ranges and new product concepts to senior leadership to gain alignment and approval.
  • Partnered with the QA department to ensure all products met compliance and quality standards for European and US markets.
  • Directed the marketing team to deliver effective product campaigns, ensuring maximum visibility and sales impact.
  • Analysed weekly and monthly trading performance across all platforms to track progress and inform strategy.
  • Recommended and executed promotional activities aligned with trading performance, stock levels, and key seasonal events.
  • Accountable for stock flow planning and prioritisation throughout the full product life cycle, ensuring availability and efficiency.
  • Reviewed forecasts and placed monthly buys to optimise sales, stock holding, margin, and product availability.
  • Managed and developed a team of Assistant Merchandisers, fostering capability and high performance.
  • Key Skills

Wholesale / Retail Merchandiser

Mamas and Papas
03.2012 - 05.2016
  • Collaborated with Buying, Design, and Technical teams to shape departmental strategy and deliver a balanced, commercially viable range.
  • Directed option planning for stores, ensuring customer choice, maximising sales opportunities, and driving profitability.
  • Managed range planning for wholesale and franchise partners, aligning assortments to optimise customer offer and financial performance.
  • Partnered with the Buying team to review weekly KPI performance, identifying trading risks and opportunities and adapting plans accordingly.
  • Accountable for stock flow planning and prioritisation throughout the full product life cycle to support sales and operational efficiency.
  • Reviewed forecasts to optimise sales, stockholding, margin, and availability across channels.
  • Ensured timely range launches, resolving supplier or delivery challenges to maintain critical path adherence.
  • Oversaw replenishment and allocation strategies to sustain in-branch stock levels, maximise availability, and minimise markdown.
  • Ensured sufficient stock cover to fulfil wholesale orders while maintaining accurate Free-for-Sale levels to drive sales and protect margin.
  • Monitored departmental margin performance, ensuring delivery against profitability targets.
  • Accountable for raising and managing purchase orders to maintain supply chain efficiency.
  • Led supplier management across the department, monitoring performance to deliver sales, profit, and reliability targets.
  • Delivered store availability targets, ensuring customers consistently had access to core and seasonal ranges.
  • Maintained stock levels aligned with seasonal requirements and market conditions, supported by accurate forecasting.
  • Conducted regular store visits, building strong relationships with retail teams while developing competitor and market awareness to inform strategy.
  • Key Skills

Assistant Merchandiser

Shop Direct Group
10.2006 - 03.2012
  • Planned product ranges in collaboration with the Buying team, applying strong organisational and strategic planning skills.
  • Analysed sales performance and market trends to inform trading and range decisions.
  • Forecasted future sales and profit performance to support commercial planning.
  • Managed budgets and presented sales forecasts and performance updates to senior management.
  • Placed supplier orders and ensured timely delivery in line with launch and trading requirements.
  • Controlled stock levels, maintaining availability of best-selling products to maximise sales.
  • Delivered results under pressure while managing multiple priorities.
  • Collaborated with the E-commerce team to optimise pricing and promotions, reducing slower-selling lines and driving sell-through.
  • Met with suppliers to review product performance, place new orders, and manage critical paths to ensure goods arrived on time for launch.
  • Key Skills

Store Manager

JJB Sports
05.2004 - 10.2006
  • Oversaw in-store merchandising to maximise product visibility and customer engagement.
  • Led and developed a team of 18+ staff, ensuring high performance and operational excellence.
  • Controlled stock levels across core product lines to maintain availability and minimise loss of sales.
  • Drove sales performance by implementing effective merchandising and team management strategies.
  • Managed budgets, including staff scheduling and labour costs, to optimise efficiency.
  • Consistently delivered results under pressure in a fast-paced retail environment.
  • Key Skills

Store Manager

Allsports
01.1998 - 06.2004
  • Trained and developed staff to enhance product knowledge and selling capability.
  • Managed deliveries and executed effective merchandising of new product launches in-store.
  • Designed and implemented creative window displays to maximise customer interest and footfall.
  • Promoted products and drove sales through customer engagement and commercial initiatives.
  • Represented the store at management meetings and conferences, contributing to business discussions and strategy.
  • Delivered customer service training and embedded best practices to enhance customer experience.
  • Consistently achieved monthly sales targets, exceeding previous year benchmarks.
  • Key Skills

Education

A Levels -

Wirral Metropolitan College

GSCE - undefined

Rock Ferry High School

Skills

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel advance
  • Microsoft Power Point
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Tableau
  • WSSI

Timeline

Head of Buying Heating and Bathrooms

Limitless Digital Group
11.2016 - 09.2025

Product Manager - Heating

Limitless Digital Group
05.2016 - 11.2016

Wholesale / Retail Merchandiser

Mamas and Papas
03.2012 - 05.2016

Assistant Merchandiser

Shop Direct Group
10.2006 - 03.2012

Store Manager

JJB Sports
05.2004 - 10.2006

Store Manager

Allsports
01.1998 - 06.2004

GSCE - undefined

Rock Ferry High School

A Levels -

Wirral Metropolitan College

Similar Profiles

Create profile
Susan Hilton