Buyer - Beauty

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement organization in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Retail Buyer to develop product strategies and manage vendor relations. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Fashion or Retail Management and 2-3 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in MS Excel and PowerPoint is required. This role focuses on driving gross margin goals and optimization of stock levels in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of relevant retail buying experience.
• Strong understanding of product strategy and vendor management.
• Knowledge of market research and forecasting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of brand strategies based on customer profiles.
• Plan category assortments using historical performance and market trends.
• Establish seasonal purchase strategies and coordinate direct procurement.

Skills

Vendor management

Product strategy

Assortment planning

Trend analysis

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Retail Management, or related field

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

Objective:

This position is responsible for ensuring effective brand positioning through strategic product selection that aligns with the target customer profile, while achieving gross margin goals and maintaining a healthy sell-through rate of 60% or higher.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Range:

• Support the development of brand strategies by understanding customer profiles and market positioning
• Plan category assortments based on historical performance, market trends, and future potential
• Establish seasonal purchase strategies in collaboration with the planning team, using data-driven insights
• Grade stores by format and country to differentiate product mixes for high-end and value-driven locations
• Develop procurement strategies for seasonal sales, grounded in product performance history
• Create pricing plans using perceptual pricing and market benchmarking
• Coordinate direct procurement with brand principals

Order Management:

• Raise purchase orders in line with the buying plan to ensure on-time deliveries per SLAs
• Monitor in-transit inventory to ensure smooth supply chain movement from supplier to warehouse

Vendor Management:

• Establish and sustain long-term relationships with suppliers to ensure fair deals.
• Ensure on-time delivery of products and adhere to compliance with the contracts of purchase.

Store Management:

• Visit stores to ensure proper store display of product categories and to understand performing and non-performing goods
• Visit competitor stores to understand bench marking, and for inspiration
• Maintain weeks of cover, monitor stock levels, and plan purchases within budget
• Coach the store staff to gather product feedback and customer feedback on basic and key offerings ensuring growth and development

Competition Knowledge

• Stay up-to-date with local and global markets, as well as industry trends
• Be aware of competing brands and products' activities

Key KPIs:

Quantitative KPI

• Gross margin target
• Sell through target
• Exclusive and NOS Business
• Week of cover for particular category
• Stock Ageing and Stock Turn
• Trend/Buy presentation
• Product training

Qualitative KPI

• Understand market trend
• Able to grasp business requirement
• Influence brand to customize requirement

Desired Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Retail Management, or a related field from a recognized institute.
• 2-3 years of relevant retail buying experience.
• Proficient in MS Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong understanding of product strategy, vendor management, assortment planning, and trend analysis.
• Knowledge of market research, data analysis, and forecasting techniques.