Senior Buying Manager - Sportscene

TFG (The Foschini Group); Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Sportscene, part of The Foschini Group, is seeking a Senior Buying Manager focused on Private Label Brands. You will lead the buying team, develop seasonal product strategies and manage key supplier partnerships in a fast-paced streetwear environment.

The role requires a relevant tertiary qualification, a minimum of 3 years in a management level, and at least 10 years buying/merchandise experience. Strong leadership, analytical ability and stakeholder influence are essential to deliver timelines

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification required.
• Minimum 3 years in a management role, including people management.
• Minimum 10 years buying/merchandise experience is essential.
• Proven track record in building/maintaining strategic supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to drive merchandise strategy with innovation and creativity.
• Ability to persuade and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of the organisation.
• Proven leadership and people-management capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute seasonal product strategies in line with the company strategy.
• Own and manage the product development cycle from range concept to bulk production approvals.
• Manage range architecture and price tiering across stores and online channels.
• Drive KPI performance: sales, margin, stock, and markdown management.
• Collaborate with planning, e-commerce, marketing and store operations for cohesive execution.
• Forge strategic supplier partnerships and negotiate to improve lead times and margins.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical ability

Negotiation

Stakeholder influence

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Job Description

At Sportscene, we believe that we inspire the love of sneakers and street culture. We blend sports and street brands that matter, creating a unique environment for street-conscious youth where Sneakers are King.

An opportunity has become available on our buying team for a Buying Manager focused on Private Label Brands.

This position requires a high-energy, self-motivated individual with strong people management skills and the ability to develop and manage key strategic own-brand partnerships. The successful applicant must be comfortable with working in a fast-paced environment and be results-driven.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Buying Manager, your key responsibilities will be:

Strategy Development and Execution

• Develop and execute seasonal product strategies in line with the company strategy
• Work closely with the Planning Manager to develop cohesive action plans to execute the brand strategy
• Evaluate strategic progress and pivot where necessary to achieve strategic objectives
• Identify key macro and micro-economic trends that will impact on the implementation of the buying strategy and plan accordingly.

Product Development

• Own and manage the product development cycle from range conceptualisation to design, pre-production sample approvals and bulk production approvals.
• Manage the range architecture and price tiering of seasonal ranges ensuring a credible and balanced assortment is on offer across store grids and online channels.
• Ensure relevant global trends are well represented in the range and aligned to customer preferences
• Ensure Authentic product execution in line with the brand ethos
• Deliver a clear value proposition in support of the brand positioning.
• Sign off product strategy at various review stages in the product development process

KPI and Trade Management

• Display a clear understanding of the business against weekly, monthly and seasonal sales performance to plan.
• Drive key action plans based on current performance to maximise sales, improve sales margin and minimise markdown.
• Drive an In-Season trade mentality in your buying team that displays agility and quick decision making to shift the outcome of sales.
• Manage key performance indicators including Sales, Sales Margin, Clearance and Stock Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication

• Maintain a collaborative relationship with the planning, e- commerce, marketing and store operations teams to ensure cohesive execution of product strategies
• Provide guidance and support to the marketing team on product launches, promotions and product initiatives

Supplier Management

• Forge strategic partnerships with key suppliers by aligning the supply base to the business strategy
• Evaluate and manage supplier performance on a regular basis and identify potential risks within the supplier loading.
• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve margin targets and improve lead time efficiency
• Maintain strong relationships with existing vendors and explore opportunities for new partnerships
• Ensure Suppliers are compliant with the Group’s Social and Ethical requirements and contribute towards the brand’s sustainability strategy

Team Leadership and Talent Management

• Ensure that assigned team is effectively resourced, directed, motivated and developed to enable team members to reach their full potential.
• Drive and develop the performance of the team with a view to optimise delivery and achievement of objectives whilst effectively managing performance issues or concerns
• Ensure learning and development opportunities are available to the team.
• Cultivate a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement within the team to optimise sales and deliver KPI’s.
• Mentor, Coach and develop the team to support their career development
• Manage various functions within the buying department, including buying, design and quality assurance, and ensuring alignment across these functions.

Critical Path and Lead Time Management

• Ensure buying critical path aligns to the merchandise cycle to deliver the on-time launch of product.
• Evaluate buying process efficiency and evolve process accordingly to support faster and more accurate decision making
• Constantly identify opportunities to reduce lead times

Project Management

• Participate and align business projects to group strategic projects
• Implement and evolve key retail projects such as 3D, Sustainability and Quick Response

Market Analysis

• Conduct regular store and market visits to understand the competitor landscape and identify new opportunities for growth

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Minimum 3 years working experience at a management level, incl. people / team management
• Minimum 10 years relevant buying / merchandise experience is essential
• Proven track record in building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships
• Proven track record and ability to drive a merchandise strategy by demonstrating innovative and creative thinking
• Ability to persuade and influence both internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to aggressive deadlines, incl. problem solving
• Exceptional analytical ability to effectively evaluate and drive functional KPIs, incl. sales growth, PIS, CSOH, input- and maintained margins, stock turn, clearance
• Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of organisation
• Proven leadership and People management ability

Preference will be given, but not limited to, candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.