Job Description

Listing reference:

woolw_001383

Listing status:

Online

Apply by:

15 December 2025

Position summary

Industry:

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Job category:

Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location:

Cape Town

Contract:

Permanent

EE position:

No

Introduction

Contribute towards the development of Sourcing and Supplier Strategy. Identify appropriate factories/suppliers/regions and manage the sourcing of product options aligned to the sourcing and product strategies.

Job description

Contribute to the development of the Sourcing and Supplier Strategy

Analyse and review Supplier performance scorecards (quality, OTIF, innovation and sustainability). Review trends on Supplier delivery to financial KPI's. Identify opportunities for new Suppliers to close Supplier gaps / risks. Consolidate inputs from Heads of Planning, Buying and Design on Product Category Strategy. Identify Suppliers that meet the Business Innovation and Sustainability targets.

Conduct Supplier Engagement, Communication and Performance Management

Lead end-to-end Supplier onboarding, engagement, and communication processes. Create and issue requests for samples (only for Concept and Development Samples before costs are confirmed, and for In-Season Trade / Trend Updates). Mitigate any issues that may arise on the request and receipt of physical samples. Conduct Supplier Performance conversations, identify performance issues and implement corrective actions. Evaluate Supplier compliance with sustainability and ethics standards.

Conduct Costing and Supplier Negotiation

Conduct product costings based on Tech Pack inputs from Technical Product Development. Ensure an in-dept understanding of the Product aesthetic and technical requirements Manage Requests for Quote. Conduct Supplier negotiations to ensure the achievement of required financial KPIs - partner up with Buying on new Product Concepts / Volume Inputs / Inputs. Finalise cost, obtain approval on quotes and handover Formula / Development Style with Preferred Quote to Buying.

Perform Capacity Planning and Management throughout the Season

Consolidate the required inputs from Planning. Perform Capacity Planning and ensure that volume flows and drops are successfully communicated with Suppliers. Continuously engage with Suppliers, track shipment and ensure that adjustments and updates are executed on during trade.

Manage Strategy Execution and Issue Resolution

Implement and manage Seasonal Trading Plans in conjunction with Planning and Buying, and work with Suppliers to revise and update production plans. Monitor Supplier Strategy Execution, identify deviations from strategy, address issues with Supplier, Planning and Buying Teams. Oversee order management and product tracking, promptly communicating changes or delays to Group Planning and Buying Teams to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) targets. Participate in relevant Trade Meetings to gain insights into trading actions that need to be executed.

Minimum requirements

8 years or more Buying/Sourcing/Technical retail experience in a retail environment. Homeware experience preferred. Relevant business degree / diploma in Textiles, Fashion, Clothing product management Proven experience in Supplier negotiations Ability to travel both locally and internationally Supplier Management & Understanding of Imports and Supply Chain Logistics Production Management Negotiation Skills Commercial Acumen Order/contract management Project Management (running multiple seasons, priorities, WMC, Critical Path) Customer Centric Analytical Data Driven Decision Making Results Orientated Judgement & Decision Making Cross Functional Collaboration Strong Communication * Highly Numerate & Analytical