The Buyer is responsible for procuring food and other grocery products for retail grocery stores, ensuring that the shelves are stocked with diverse, high-quality items that appeal to customers. This position requires an in-depth understanding of market trends, vendor relationships, and effective inventory management. The Buyer collaborates with various departments to forecast demand, negotiate prices & purchasing terms, and manage stock levels to optimize sales and profitability. Buyer is responsible for an organization’s merchandising activities.
Buyer Responsibilities & Duties:
- Research and analyze market trends to identify purchasing opportunities
- Negotiate contracts and pricing with vendors and suppliers.
- Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers.
- Monitor & manage inventory levels and reorder products as needed while ensuring they are profitable.
- Evaluate supplier performance and product quality.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Analyze sales data to forecast future purchasing needs.
- Manage budgets and optimize cost-efficiency.
- Track and report on key performance metrics related to purchasing.
- Understands basic merchandising principles, including square footage utilization, product positioning, display types, and cost per unit sold.
- Evaluates store traffic to ascertain the effects of in-store sales promotion activities on overall sales and profitability of the retail outlet.
Qualification & Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field.
- Experience in the grocery or retail industry.
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Proficiency in inventory management software.
- Knowledge of market trends and consumer preferences.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or similar credential.
- 5-7 years previous experience in purchasing or procurement.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Understanding of supply chain management principles.