Senior Buyer

Job Purpose : The Senior Buyer is responsible for developing and executing strategic purchasing plans to optimize product assortment, pricing, and supplier relationships.

This role drives profitability by selecting trending products, negotiating favorable terms, and ensuring inventory aligns with consumer demand and company financial goals.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Strategic Sourcing & Product Selection
   Identify and onboard suppliers/vendors that meet quality, cost, and ethical standards.
   Analyze market trends, competitor offerings, and consumer insights to curate winning product assortments.
   Attend trade shows, fashion weeks, and supplier meetings to discover new products.
2. Cost Negotiation & Supplier Management
   Negotiate pricing, MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities), payment terms, and exclusivity agreements.
   Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure competitive advantages.
   Mitigate risks by diversifying suppliers and ensuring compliance (e.g., B-BBEE in South Africa).
3. Inventory & Demand Alignment
   Collaborate with Demand Planners to forecast purchasing needs and prevent over/under-stocking.
   Monitor sell-through rates and adjust orders to maximize turnover and minimize markdowns.
   Implement seasonal buying strategies (e.g., holiday collections, summer/winter apparel).
4. Financial & Performance Analysis
   Manage open-to-buy (OTB) budgets and ensure purchases align with financial targets.
   Track KPIs (gross margin, GMROI, sell-through) to assess product performance.
   Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
   Work with Marketing to align promotions with inventory levels.
   Partner with Store Operations to optimize product placement and visual merchandising.
   Liaise with Logistics to ensure timely deliveries and resolve supply chain disruptions.

Required Skills & Competencies :

Technical Skills

• Retail Buying & Merchandising – assortment planning, trend forecasting
• Negotiation & Supplier Management – cost reduction, contract terms
• Financial Acumen – understanding of P&L, GMROI, inventory turnover
• ERP & Procurement Software
• Data Analytics – Excel (advanced), Power BI, retail analytics tools

Soft Skills

• Commercial Awareness – keen eye for profitable products and emerging trends
• Decision-Making – balancing risk and opportunity in purchasing
• Relationship Building – influencing suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Adaptability – responding to market shifts (e.g., supply chain delays, trend changes)

Qualifications & Experience :

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business, Retail Merchandising, Supply Chain, or Fashion Management

Certifications (Preferred): CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), Certified Retail Buyer (CRB), Six Sigma (for process improvement in procurement)

Experience: 5+ years in retail buying, with a proven track record in apparel, FMCG, electronics, or luxury goods.
Strong background in supplier negotiation, inventory planning, and trend analysis.
Experience managing multi-million-rand product categories.