Senior Buyer

Feeblo; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the retail sector is seeking a Senior Buyer responsible for developing strategic purchasing plans to optimize product selection and supplier relationships. The role requires strong analytical skills, negotiation expertise, and the ability to manage substantial product categories to drive profitability. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree and over five years of experience in retail buying, particularly in apparel or FMCG.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Performance bonuses

Qualifications

• 5+ years in retail buying, proven track record in apparel or FMCG.
• Experience managing multi-million-rand product categories.
• Strong background in supplier negotiation and inventory planning.

Responsibilities

• Identify and onboard quality suppliers, negotiate favorable terms.
• Collaborate with Demand Planners to forecast purchasing needs.
• Manage financial targets and track product performance KPIs.

Skills

Retail Buying

Merchandising

Trend Forecasting

Data Analytics

Commercial Awareness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business

Retail Merchandising

Supply Chain

Fashion Management

CIPS Certification

Six Sigma Certification

Tools

ERP Software

Procurement Software

Excel

Power BI

Job description

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 favourable 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.
• 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.

Technical Skills

• Retail Buying & Merchandising – Assortment planning, trend forecasting
• 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)

• 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 .
• Experience managing multi-million-rand product categories .
• Strong background in supplier negotiation, inventory planning, and trend analysis .

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