Senior Buyer

ROLE SUMMARY

The Senior Buyer is responsible for sourcing and buying at optimum cost, quality and availability, product ranges that meet customer needs thereby maximizing profits and providing a commercially viable range of merchandise for MAF Lifestyle business. The Senior Buyer will be responsible for supporting the General Manager – Planning & Merchandising in defining and presenting short and long-term strategic approaches, future growth opportunities and areas of risk for the business with regards to brand assortment, ranging, products, positioning inventory and margins.

ROLE PROFILE

• Formulate a suitable buying strategy, approach and plan in line with Brand and MAF Lifestyle guidelines.

• Direct and manage various functional aspects of vendor sourcing/ development, contract negotiation, purchasing, liaising with supply chain and warehouse to ensure optimum efficiency & performance of the function.

• Ensure that commercial, yet profitable product ranges are developed and bought in order to maximize profit and sales.

• Ensure the OTB is built up by store, category and subcategory.

• Manage and control, in conjunction with the GM, all aspects of stock to achieve reduced lost sales, improved buying and balanced product mix through careful and rigorous buying.

• Contribute to development of annual business plans, associated budgets and buying strategies, monitor performance against this, initiating corrective action where necessary to ensure operations are conducted within the agreed financial parameters and targets are achieved.

• Responsible for achieving set financial targets in relation to all buying activities, OTB, margins, sell thru and markdowns.

• Negotiate product pricing, cost of shipment and payment terms, intake margin and terms with local vendors, taking into consideration business and cost effectiveness as the main consideration.

• Maintain profitable relationships with existing suppliers and monitor adherence to all contractual terms.

• Stay abreast of customer trends, demographic shifts and other influences to ensure buying decisions closely relate to customer preferences contributing to the customer experience.

• Conduct fashion trends and product training of new launches / seasons to the store teams as and when required.

REQUIREMENTS

• 4-5 years in a senior Merchandising role

• Experience in a retail background is mandatory

• A Bachelors’ Degree, preferably in Fashion, Marketing or related field

• Qualification in Retail Management / Purchasing / Sales or related subjects