Category Buyer

Pick n Pay; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Pick n Pay is seeking an experienced Cheese Category Manager to compile and execute category plans aligned with strategy and margins, and to optimize performance with clear, customer-focused plans.

The role requires in-depth understanding of store operations, category management in cheese, and strong commercial acumen to drive growth and implement private brand strategies.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of retail Buying and Category Management experience in Cheese.
• Proven track record of achieving financial KPIs.
• Extensive commercial knowledge and store-operations understanding.
• In-depth knowledge of category execution and cheese merchandising.

Responsibilities

• Develop and present category growth strategies for cheese.
• Evaluate merchandising plans and their business impact; identify improvements.
• Create and implement buying plans aligned with category growth.
• Collaborate with Store Operations to implement category plans.
• Communicate with suppliers to align on performance and goals.
• Implement Private Brand category strategy to support growth.
• Identify process improvements to boost performance and reduce costs.

Skills

Buying fundamentals

Category management

Commercial awareness

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation

Relationship building

Education

University degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

It’s fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing!

To compile and execute the Cheese Category plans in line with the strategy, objectives and category group guidelines on format/margin and assortment strategies. To optimize the performance of the assigned categories by having clear category plans in place that are aligned to the strategy, category group guidelines and being customer focused.

Minimum Requirements

• Preferably relevant university Degree
• 3+ years retail Buying and Category Management experience essential in Cheese will be an added advantage
• Proven and consistent success on financial KPI’s
• Extensive commercial knowledge
• In-depth knowledge of store operations combined with category knowledge and in store execution
• SAP knowledge is an added advantage

Competencies

• Sound knowledge of buying fundamentals and in depth knowledge of product costings
• Ability to understand building of recipes and factoring in various relatable costs, from raw material to packaging
• Ability to understand and analyse complex detailed information to identify the source of the issues and recommend solutions to enhance the category performance
• Have the understanding of all Commercial levers in Foods retail
• Commerical and Financial Acumen
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Networking and Relationship Building
• Excellent Communications skills (Verbal and Written)
• Sound Negotiation and Influencing skills
• Good Presentation skills

Key Responsibilities

• Understand negotiating position, key drivers, and desired outcomes; develop and present factual, rational, and compelling arguments to build support and gain commitment from other parties; understand when to engage in counter-negotiations to reach win-win outcomes
• Anticipate negotiating roadblocks and objections, ensuring any contractual agreements entered into are structured according to the regulatory controls in place
• Develop and recommend business strategies that target category-specific growth
• Evaluate merchandising plans and their business impact; make recommendaIdentify and recommend process improvements that target performance, quality, work efficiency / cost reduction
• Maintain a solid working knowledge of assigned category, industry, and market; use knowledge of industry practices, business trends, distribution methods, and the competitive environment to develop buying plans
• Implement and execute tactical buying plans, ensuring alignment with category-specific growth strategies, as well as Pick n Pay’s overall business strategy
• Integrate with Store Operations and Store teams to drive the implementation of the category plan
• Communicate regularly with suppliers to mutually share financial and other performance criteria; use metrics to identify performance gaps and hold suppliers accountable for achieving financial and other mutually agreed upon goals; develop and implement contingency plans to close performance gaps
• Demonstrate confidence and expertise when interacting with suppliers whilst reinforcing the importance of Pick n Pay’s values, buying strategies and corporate initiatives
• Implement and execute Private Brand category strategy, ensuring alignment with category-specific growth strategies, as well as PnP’s overall business strategy
• Develop and implement action plans to enable the attainment of financial goals, leveraging knowledge of factors and trends that are likely to impact financial performance of the category

Closing Date: 6 September 2026

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you’ll enjoy your career with us!