Job Description

Dis-Chem Pharmacies Head Office in Midrand has an opportunity available for a Junior Buyer to join the procurement team. To focus on buying, selecting and stock managing for the allocated category. You will be responsible for the selection and purchasing of merchandise at the best possible negotiated prices from trusted and reliable vendors. Implement strategies to improve profitability of various FMCG departments.
Minimum Requirements
Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric with Mathematics and Accounting
• Minimum of 3 years Category Buying experience
• Degree or Diploma in Finance/Retail Management or any similar qualification
• SAP BI, Qlikview experience
• Computer skills (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)

Job Specification Stock Management:

• Analyse consumer buying patterns to predict future trends in order to choose most profitable product ranges.
• Buy merchandise according to Dis-Chem needs.
• Regularly review performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels and act accordingly.
• Review and track sales performance figures and competitor activities.
• Manage plans to ensure optimal stock levels for the business at all times.
• Liaise with in store management to ensure supply meets demand.
• Take appropriate action to maximize sales and minimize losses.
• Do intense research on product ranges before deciding on merchandise.
• Choose product ranges according to available sales and SAP reports.
• Adhere to category financial objectives when purchasing merchandise.
• Ensure operating and financial plans meet the requirements of Dis-Chem`s balanced product assortment and on-shelf layout objectives to meet customer needs.
• Ensure growth in market share and cost effectiveness through driving exclusive Dis-Chem brands.
• Effectively source private label opportunities and procure a balanced range of merchandise in line with the category strategy.

Marketing:

• Ensure a detailed marketing plan is formulated and that it`s in line with the overall company strategy.
• Ensure correct amount of stock are purchased to ensure that branches will be 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.
• Arrange additional discount from suppliers and display material to attract more customers to specific marketing.
• Identify campaign costs and allocate budgets to each marketing campaign.
• Establish a schedule to cover campaign design, development, production and distribution of marketing material to meet launch dates.
• Manage the marketing critical path to meet set deadlines.
• Ensure correct marketing tools are being used to achieve campaign objectives; this includes but is not limited to store display and special event or information publications.
• Monitor marketed sales to ensure it runs effectively and to measure the results and act accordingly.
• Review cost against the original campaign budget and estimate the return on the campaign in terms of increased sales or product awareness.
• Identify and develop various Dis-Chem category pricing and promotion strategies to ensure customer needs are met while remaining competitive in the market.
• Meet with suppliers and effectively negotiate product quantities, prices and terms of contract and ensure these are in line with the category sales, target and profit standards.
• Attend trade fairs to select and assemble a new collection of products for the stores and to search for new suppliers to ensure an industry competitive advantage by keeping abreast and ahead of the industry.
• Develop and adhere to category plan that includes category sales, profit, market shares, ROI (Return on inventory) and stock returns.

Financial:

• Develop a yearly category operating financial strategy and ensure it is in line with the Dis-Chem strategic category objective.
• Be aware of inventory, expenditures and deliveries of various product ranges at all times and ensure they are in line with department budgets and objectives.
• Increase profit margins for the various categories according to business requirements.

Administration/ Reporting:

• Ensure the appropriate action is taken in regards 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 FMCG Executive.
• Report on category plans on a monthly basis, (sales, profit, market shares, ROI (Return on inventory) and stock returns).
• Place supplier orders on to the relevant systems.

Stakeholder Relationship:

• Work closely with the relevant Dis-Chem merchandising partners including the online store, designers and marketing employees to ensure product quantities and displays are optimal.
• Present collections of new products to management.
• Write reports on relevant products and their sales, including Customer feedback.
• Actively nurture and grow meaningful supplier relationships.
• Liaise with various stakeholders to discuss sales performance and act accordingly.
• Maintain relationships with existing suppliers while sourcing new suppliers for future products.
• Liaising with other relevant departments within Dis-Chem to ensure projects are completed on time.
• Present new ranges to Senior Management on a regular basis.
• Negotiating prices and delivery contracts with suppliers.
• Review supplier contracts and ensure they are valid, in line with industry standards and industry good practice.
• Negotiate multi-category trading terms and promotional spend according to Dis-Chem objectives and develop strategies to ensure DisChem is first in the market with new product launches.

General:

• Housekeeping must be in accordance to Dis-Chem standards. Make sure that your work station is always clean and tidy.
• Adhere to Dis-Chem Policies and Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Adhere to Health and Safety rules and regulations.
• Adhere to Dis-Chem Uniform and personal appearance policy

Competencies
Essential:

• 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.
• English Read, write and speak well. Must have basic knowledge and skills to be able to use different communication methods (written and verbal) and be able to communicate on different levels (Management and ground level staff).
• Need to have an understanding of the financial implications that goes with the tasks involved.
• Be able to communicate and interact with other team members. Be trustworthy and honest. Negotiating and influencing. Ability to build and maintain good relationships with staff, suppliers and key functions in the business, keep in mind the Dis-Chem objective as well as consider

specifics and detail. Assess multifaceted situations and implement practical resolutions. Be able to articulate strategies and perform concept analysis. Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking. Be able to relate and network with relevant parties. Effectively plan and organize daily, monthly and yearly activities. Be able to make a decision and initiate action. Be able to learn and do research. * Need to be able to visualize and solve complex problems. Must have the logic thinking way.

• Must be able to work on their own and under pressure in all circumstances. Time management skills.

Advantage:

• Be able to achieve budget inventory levels, and be able to use system tools to analyse and be proficient with numbers.

Special conditions of employment:

• South African citizen
• MIE, clear criminal and credit
• Drivers license and/or own reliable transport

Remuneration and benefits:

• Market related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.
Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chems approved Employment Equity Plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chems Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.