Senior Retail Buyer

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Employee discounts

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in George, South Africa, is seeking a Senior Retail Buyer to lead product sourcing and assortment planning across its diverse retail operations. This hybrid role requires strategic procurement leadership, supplier negotiations, and a deep understanding of market trends and customer demand.

You will analyze sales data, forecast demand, collaborate with merchandising and marketing teams, and manage vendor relationships to ensure profitability and competitive product lines.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in retail buying or merchandise planning.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and manage supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and retail analytics software.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Ability to work effectively in remote and in-office environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute buying strategies to meet sales and margin targets.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers with favorable terms.
• Analyze sales data and trends to forecast demand and optimize inventory.
• Collaborate with merchandising and marketing on seasonal assortments and promotions.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure quality and policy compliance.
• Attend trade shows and conduct market research to identify opportunities.

Skills

Retail buying

Negotiation

Analytics

Excel

Retail analytics software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Supply Chain

Tools

Retail analytics software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Retail Buyer to lead product sourcing and assortment planning for their diverse retail operations based in George. This hybrid role offers the flexibility to work both in the office and remotely, focusing on developing innovative product strategies that align with market trends and customer demand. You will play a crucial role in identifying new suppliers, negotiating terms, and ensuring the profitability and competitiveness of our product lines. This position requires a deep understanding of the retail landscape, strong analytical skills, and a proven track record in strategic procurement and vendor management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive buying strategies to meet sales and margin targets for assigned product categories.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, negotiating favorable pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor activity to forecast demand and optimize inventory levels.
• Collaborate with the merchandising and marketing teams to develop seasonal assortments and promotional plans.
• Manage vendor relationships, ensuring quality standards and compliance with company policies.
• Conduct regular market research and attend trade shows to stay abreast of industry innovations and opportunities in the retail sector.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in retail buying or merchandise planning.
• Demonstrated success in negotiating complex contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and retail analytics software.
• Excellent understanding of retail market dynamics, consumer behavior, and product lifecycle management.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Ability to work effectively in both a remote and in-office environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Generous employee discounts on retail products.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic retail setting.