Buyer II - Home: Bathroom

Woolworths; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking a product strategist in Cape Town. The role involves developing a customer-focused seasonal product strategy, ensuring that product ranges are commercially viable and aligned with brand vision. Candidates should have a relevant degree and 4-6 years of buying experience, preferably in homeware. Strong knowledge of material and product development is essential.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of relevant buying experience.
• Homeware buying experience preferred.
• Passion for keeping up to date with latest homeware trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a seasonal product strategy.
• Build a profitable and balanced product range.
• Collaborate cross-functionally for product development.

Skills

Trend interpretation

Product development

Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint

Market research

Knowledge of markdown and mark up pricing

Education

Relevant degree in Fashion, Textile Design/Product Development/Merchandising

Tools

PLM

Job description

Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: No

Introduction

You will be responsible for building a customer-focused, profitable seasonal product strategy that aligns with the department's goals and brand vision. You will ensure ranges are trend-appropriate, commercially viable and resonate with our customers, overseeing the entire journey from product conception to in-store execution. Your aim is to deliver an on-brand product offering that not only meets customer expectations but also drives sales growth and profitability.

• Develop and Execute a Seasonal Plan: Collaborate with Planning, Design, and Sourcing teams to create a strategic product, fabric, and trading plan. Use global and local trend insights, customer analytics and competitor intelligence to drive product direction and present seasonal product plans highlighting key strategic areas and must-win categories.
• Build a Profitable Balanced Range: Build a trend-appropriate product range that aligns with customer expectations and departmental goals. Work closely with the Design team on styling, fabric and colour choices, ensuring the range fits within the agreed price architecture and meets critical merchandise milestones.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Sourcing team on product development, supplier selection, costings and technical requirements. Collaborate with Technical Product Development to ensure sample approvals, product reviews and final presentations are aligned with the critical path milestones.
• Customer Understanding & Competitive Intelligence: Work closely with Marketing to understand our customers through quarterly updates, customer analytics and online reviews. Conduct market and trend research to stay ahead of competitors and ensure product differentiation across various channels.

• A relevant degree /qualification in Fashion, Textile Design/Product Development /Merchandising or a related field.
• 4-6 year's relevant buying experience.
• Homeware Buying experience preferred
• Sound knowledge of material, fabric and product development and is crucial.
• Passion for keeping up to date with latest homeware trends.
• Proven ability to interpret trends and conceptualise products
• Computer literate with proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, PLM.
• Strong administratively, proactive and well-structured ways of working
• Understanding of business and buying processes and systems
• Retail market and industry knowledge
• Knowledge of markdown and mark up pricing, visibility to drive sales, sell-through.