Category Buyer

ELITE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS; Philippines; On-site; PHP 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

ELITE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS is seeking a Retail Merchandise / Category Buyer – FMCG (Food / Non-Food) in the Philippines. The role supports the Division Merchandising Manager in buying, sourcing, supplier management, pricing, inventory monitoring, and promotional activities.

The candidate will help ensure competitive pricing, appropriate merchandise assortment, sufficient stock, and achieving sales and margin targets, with a focus on FMCG food and non-food products. Makati-based, on-site work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related 4-year course.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in merchandising, buying, category management, purchasing, or a similar retail function.
• Experience handling FMCG, food and/or non-food products is highly preferred.
• Experience in a retail business, supermarket, or restaurant/F&B environment is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of inventory/stock management.
• Good market analysis and product positioning skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Comfortable working with ERP or merchandise management systems.
• Willing to work in Makati.

Responsibilities

• Source products and suppliers for food and non-food merchandise.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Negotiate prices, payment terms, discounts, rebates, returns, replacements, and promotions.
• Handle direct buying of assigned merchandise.
• Evaluate new products based on price, quantity, quality, and market potential.
• Maintain accurate SKU, product, cost, and retail price information in the system.
• Prepare proposed orders, re-orders, price changes, and Purchase Orders.
• Monitor purchase budgets and merchandise costs.
• Compute landed costs for applicable indent orders.
• Conduct competitor price and product canvassing.
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding orders and deliveries.
• Monitor stock levels, inventory movement, and late/undelivered items.
• Coordinate with stores, warehouse, Goods Receiving, Accounting, and other concerned departments.
• Conduct warehouse and store visits to monitor merchandise availability and movement.
• Prepare inventory reports and support promotional and sales activities.

Skills

Inventory management

Market analysis

Negotiation & supplier relations

ERP systems familiarity

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP/merchandise management systems

Job description

Our client is a well-established retail company in the Philippines specializing in duty-free retail operations, offering a wide range of products across multiple categories.

About the Role

We are looking for a Retail Merchandise / Category Buyer – FMCG (Food / Non-Food) to support the Division Merchandising Manager in buying, sourcing, supplier management, pricing, inventory monitoring, and promotional activities.

The successful candidate will help ensure competitive pricing, appropriate merchandise assortment, sufficient stock availability, and achievement of sales and margin targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Source products and suppliers for food and non-food merchandise.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Negotiate prices, payment terms, discounts, rebates, returns, replacements, and promotions.
• Handle direct buying of assigned merchandise.
• Evaluate new products based on price, quantity, quality, and market potential.
• Maintain accurate SKU, product, cost, and retail price information in the system.
• Prepare proposed orders, re-orders, price changes, and Purchase Orders.
• Monitor purchase budgets and merchandise costs.
• Compute landed costs for applicable indent orders.
• Conduct competitor price and product canvassing.
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding orders and deliveries.
• Monitor stock levels, inventory movement, and late/undelivered items.
• Coordinate with stores, warehouse, Goods Receiving, Accounting, and other concerned departments.
• Conduct warehouse and store visits to monitor merchandise availability and movement.
• Prepare inventory reports and support promotional and sales activities.

Qualifications

Must-Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business or any related 4-year course.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in merchandising, buying, category management, purchasing, or a similar retail function.
• Experience handling FMCG, food and/or non-food products is highly preferred.
• Experience in a retail business, supermarket, or restaurant/F&B environment is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of inventory/stock management.
• Good market analysis and product positioning skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Comfortable working with ERP or merchandise management systems.
• Willing to work in Makati.

Preferred Experience

• Category buying/category management
• FMCG purchasing
• Pricing and margin management
• Inventory and stock management
• Purchase Order preparation