Cape Town: Category Buyer posted by Hire Resolve

About the Role

A leading retail company situated in Cape Town is urgently seeking an experienced Category Buyer to join their team. The successful incumbent will be responsible for developing and executing category-specific growth strategies, managing supplier relations, and driving business performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiates with suppliers to achieve mutually beneficial agreements
• Develops and presents factual, rational, and compelling arguments to build support and gain commitment from other parties
• Manages disagreements and conflicts by using diplomacy and controlling emotions
• Anticipates negotiating roadblocks and objections
• Uses internal and external data to develop and recommend business strategies that target category-specific growth
• Evaluates merchandising plans and their business impact
• Makes recommendations for modifying plans based on findings
• Identifies and recommends process improvements that target performance, quality, work efficiency/cost reduction
• Uses internal and external data to understand category performance (sales, margin, availability, waste, stock, RTC, strike rates, own brand etc.)
• Maintains a solid working knowledge of the assigned category, industries, and markets
• Implements and executes tactical buying plans, ensuring alignment with category-specific growth strategies, as well as an overall business strategy
• Communicates regularly with suppliers to mutually share financial and other performance criteria
• Uses metrics to identify performance gaps and hold suppliers accountable for achieving financial and other mutually agreed-upon goals
• Develops and implements contingency plans to close performance gaps
• Develops and maintains relationships with suppliers
• Demonstrates confidence and expertise when interacting with suppliers
• Implements and executes Private Brand category strategy, ensuring alignment with category-specific growth strategies, as well as an overall business strategy
• Develops merchandising solutions to achieve business goals and influence financial performance
• Identifies and applies knowledge of key industry trends and market forces to positively impact merchandising

Requirements

• Relevant University Degree (preferred)
• 3-4 years of retail experience
• Experience in Category Management and Buying experience in the Baby (Non-Edibles) division
• Proven and consistent success on financial KPIs
• SAP knowledge and Analysis are essential

Qualifications

No formal education or certifications mentioned.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: negotiable. Our client is offering a highly competitive salary for this role based on experience.