Senior Retail Buyer

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 520,000 - 780,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

International travel

Employee discounts

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni seeks a Senior Retail Buyer to steer category strategies, source new products, and negotiate favorable terms. You will analyze sales and inventory to forecast demand and drive profitability while maintaining strong supplier partnerships and collaborating with marketing for promotions.

The ideal candidate will have fashion-merchandising insight, advanced Excel skills, and proven negotiation expertise, operating in a hybrid work setup balancing on-site and remote work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Retail Buyer or senior sourcing/merchandising professional.
• Strong merchandising knowledge, product development, and retail buying cycles.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and forecasting abilities.
• Proficiency with buying/planning software and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for assigned product areas.
• Identify market trends and source new suppliers and products.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with vendors.
• Analyze sales data and inventory to forecast demand and guide decisions.
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers and partners.
• Collaborate with marketing and visual merchandising for placement and promotions.

Skills

Retail buying

Merchandising

Negotiation

Forecasting

Excel

Tools

Buying software

Planning software

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Retail Buyer to join their team, based in Benoni , with a hybrid work arrangement. This pivotal role involves sourcing, selecting, and negotiating the purchase of merchandise that aligns with market trends and customer demand, ultimately driving profitability. You will be responsible for developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring optimal product assortment. The ideal candidate possesses a keen eye for fashion and market trends, strong analytical skills, and proven negotiation expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for assigned product areas, aligning with overall company objectives.
• Identify emerging market trends and source new suppliers and products to enhance the merchandise assortment.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules with vendors to secure favorable terms and maximize margins.
• Analyze sales data, inventory levels, and market information to forecast demand and make informed purchasing decisions.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers and partners.
• Collaborate with marketing and visual merchandising teams to ensure effective product placement and promotional activities.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Retail Buyer or in a senior sourcing/merchandising role, preferably within the fashion or apparel industry.
• Strong understanding of merchandising , product development, and retail buying cycles.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and forecasting skills.
• Proficiency in using buying and planning software, along with advanced Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple categories and complex supplier relationships.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid model, balancing on-site collaboration with remote work flexibility.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for international travel for sourcing and industry events.
• Generous employee discounts on merchandise.
• A dynamic work environment offering a hybrid model in Benoni .