Job Description

Our client in the Retail industry is currently looking for a Category Buyer in personal care products, in Midrand.

Responsibilities:

• Managing suppliers, trading terms, market analysis, product selection/buying, planning, stock management, driving turnover and profit as well as reporting and analytics, implementation of group and category strategy.
• Stock Management:
• Analyse consumer buying patterns to predict future trends and keep these trend figures in mind when choosing product ranges.
• Buy merchandise according to the company's category department needs.
• Regularly review performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels.
• Ensure stock turn, sell through and stock on hand are within the required ranges.
• Review and track sales performance figures and competitor activities.
• Assist in managing plans to ensure optimal stock levels for the business at all times.
• Liaise with in store personnel to ensure supply meets demand.
• Take appropriate action to maximise sales and minimize losses.
• Place supplier orders on to the relevant systems, negotiating prices and delivery contracts.
• Do intense research on product ranges before deciding on merchandise.
• Assist in choosing product ranges according to available sales reports including all other relevant SAP reports.
• Ensure operating and financial plans meet the requirements of the company's category balanced product assortment and on-shelf layout objectives to meet customer needs.
• Drive exclusive company brands to create product differentiation and innovation to growth market share and cost-effectiveness.
• Effectively source private label opportunities and procure a balanced range of merchandise in line with the category strategy.
• Marketing:
• Assist in ensuring a detailed marketing plan is formulated and that it is in line with the overall company strategy.
• Ensure branches are able to increase their stock levels during an advertising campaign.
• Accurately analyse target audiences to determine the type of marketing offers that would be most effective to ensure marketing is in line with consumer trends.
• Assist in identifying campaign costs and allocate budgets to each marketing campaign.
• Assist in establish a schedule to cover campaign design, development, production and distribution of marketing material to meet launch dates.
• Assist in managing the marketing critical path to meet set deadlines.
• Assist in review cost against the original campaign budget and estimate the return on the campaign in terms of increased sales or product awareness.
• Assist in Identifying and develop various category pricing and promotion strategies to ensure customer needs are met while remaining competitive in the market.
• Financial:
• Assist in developing a yearly category operating strategy and ensure it is in line with the company's category objective and lead the category team to achieve the category operating targets.
• Keep informed of inventory, expenditures and deliveries of various product ranges and ensure they are in line with department budgets and objectives.
• Negotiate multi-category trading terms and promotional spend according to the Category objectives and develop strategies to ensure the company is first in the market with new product launches.
• Assist in increasing profit margins for the various categories.
• Manage the return on inventory.
• Administration/Reporting:
• Ensure the appropriate action is taken in regard to changes in demand and logistics of certain products.
• Write accurate and up to date reports to facilitate the forecasting of sales levels.
• Judge product quality by using customer feedback as a measuring tool.
• Report monthly sales, trends and finances to the Category Manager.
• Report on category plans on a monthly basis, (sales, profit, market shares and stock returns)
• Stakeholder Relationship:
• Work closely with the relevant company merchandising partners including the online store, designers and marketing staff to ensure product quantities and displays are optimal.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews.
• Negotiating trading terms and advertising spend.
• Present collections of new products to management.
• Write reports on relevant products and their sales, quality and feedback.
• Actively nurture and grow meaningful supplier relationships.
• Liaising with other relevant departments within the company to ensure projects are completed on time.
• Present new ranges to Senior Retail Managers on a regular basis.

• Grade 12 xe2x80x93 Matric and/or Senior Certificate with Mathematics and Accounting.
• Minimum of 5 years Category Buying experience.
• Advantageous:
• Degree in Buying and/or Finance or Retail Management.
• SAP BI, Qlikview experience.
• Knowledge of industry standards, relevant product laws and regulations, retail and buying.
• Knowledge and understanding of market trends and competitor analysis, management, supplier co-op negotiations and trading terms, financial planning and buying business processes.
• Good understanding of developing a category operating plan and identifying strategic opportunities.
• Problem solving; creative and innovative thinking; decision making and judgement.
• Inquisitive; logical and analytical; researching information and insight.
• Advanced customer service.
• Teamwork/Collaboration; networking skills; emotional intelligence; Influencing others.
• Be able to articulate strategies and perform concept analysis.
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Focus on quality and thoroughness.

• R900 000 xe2x80x93 R1.2 mil per annum.

InspHired Recruitment Solutions