Buyer and Category Manager

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package with bonus

Employee discount on company products

Medical aid benefits and provident fun

Opportunities for professional growth

Dynamic and fast-paced environment

Exposure to broad product categories

Annual leave and statutory benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Buyer and Category Manager in Gauteng to lead a key product category. You will oversee trend forecasting, product selection, pricing, promotions and inventory across channels from our Tembisa offices.

The ideal candidate has 4–6 years in buying or category management, strong negotiation and analytical skills, and a proactive ownership mindset. This role offers growth within a dynamic retail group and a competitive package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Commerce or related field.
• 4–6 years in buying, category management or retail merchandising.
• Proven track record of developing and executing category strategies that boost sales and profitability.
• Strong negotiation skills with ability to secure favorable terms from suppliers.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret sales data, market trends and financial reports.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies aligned with business goals to drive growth and margins.
• Source products and negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules for competitiveness.
• Manage full product lifecycle from concept to decline.
• Conduct market analysis, trend forecasting and competitor research.
• Create promotional and pricing strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales on in-store and online merchandising.
• Monitor inventory and oversee stock replenishment to minimize stockouts.
• Analyze sales data and category performance to guide decisions.
• Build strong supplier relationships ensuring quality and reliability.
• Manage the category budget including buying, marketing and promotions.

Skills

Negotiation

Data analysis

Communication

Strategic thinking

Ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business Administration/Commerce

Tools

MS Excel

Retail software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly expanding retail group seeking an experienced and strategic Buyer and Category Manager to oversee a key product category. This role is crucial for driving sales, profitability, and market share within the assigned category. You will be responsible for all aspects of the buying cycle, from trend forecasting and product selection to pricing, promotion, and inventory management. The ideal candidate will possess a keen eye for market trends and a strong understanding of consumer behavior. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a significant business area within our client's operations, based at their main offices in Tembisa, Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies that align with overall business goals and drive profitable growth.
• Source new products and suppliers, negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules to ensure competitive advantage and optimal margins.
• Manage the entire product lifecycle, from concept and introduction to growth, maturity, and decline.
• Conduct regular market analysis, competitor research, and trend forecasting to identify new opportunities and potential threats.
• Develop and execute effective promotional and pricing strategies to maximize sales volume and profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to create compelling in-store and online merchandising plans.
• Monitor inventory levels and manage stock replenishment to minimize stock-outs and reduce excess inventory.
• Analyze sales data, category performance metrics, and customer feedback to make data-driven decisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring quality, reliability, and adherence to company standards.
• Manage budgets for the assigned category, including buying, marketing, and promotional spend.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related discipline is required.
• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in buying, category management, or a similar retail merchandising role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing category strategies that drive sales and profitability.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven ability to secure favorable terms from suppliers.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data, market trends, and financial reports.
• Proficiency in retail management software and MS Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive, results-oriented approach with a strong sense of ownership.
• Understanding of the retail landscape in Tembisa, Gauteng and the broader South African market.
• Experience in specific product categories relevant to our client's business would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with potential for performance-based incentives.
• Employee discount on company products.
• Medical aid benefits and provident fund.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a growing retail organization.
• A dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Exposure to a wide range of product categories and retail operations.
• Annual leave and other statutory benefits.