Buyer (Maternity Cover)

About the Role

The Buyer position involves supporting the design and execution of key strategies aimed at driving retail sales and meeting targeted profit margins through effective stock control, cataloguing, pricing policies, and promotional activities. The role requires experience in merchandising across both online and offline platforms within retail or FMCG sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze consumer behavior and trends to identify evolving shopping patterns, helping to increase sales and market share across digital and physical stores.
• Monitor and respond to market and customer trends, forecasting future developments to inform buying decisions aligned with shifts in online and offline consumer habits.
• Source new product lines and brands while continuously assessing current merchandise for competitiveness in both online and offline marketplaces.
• Oversee new product acquisitions by managing the sourcing process, contract negotiations, and pricing discussions.
• Plan and control stock levels; anticipate demand fluctuations and address supply and logistical challenges accordingly.
• Collaborate internally and externally to enhance brand awareness for new introductions and revitalize sales of slow-moving products.
• Conduct ongoing competitor analysis for both channels to generate new ideas, improve market intelligence, and establish pricing benchmarks.
• Identify and engage new suppliers and vendors, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring consistent quality service and product safety.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure favorable product assortments, pricing, and support for advertising and promotional programs.
• Regularly review key performance metrics to stay updated with market changes and optimize return on investment in merchandising space.
• Drive category sales growth and maximize profit margins to meet financial objectives for the year.
• Ensure adequate stock availability at store shelves and inventory, including conducting monthly stock reconciliations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Candidate Profile

• Educational background: Diploma or Degree in Business Management, Sales, or Marketing.
• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience in retail merchandising or product development within a demanding FMCG or retail environment, ideally with exposure to both online and offline retail operations.
• A proactive self-starter demonstrating strong drive, integrity, professionalism, and confidence.
• Possesses assertiveness, motivation, commitment, resilience, and the ability to perform well under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Adaptable to fast-paced, high-volume, dynamic workplace settings with a vested interest in consumer trends and creativity.
• Digitally literate and active, especially within the Health & Beauty online sector.
• Excellent relationship-building abilities with suppliers, vendors, and internal teams; capable of networking effectively.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in MS Office tools.
• Strong analytical and numerical aptitude.
• Excellent sourcing and negotiation capabilities.
• Good commercial acumen.
• Effective decision-making and time management skills.
• Problem-solving prowess.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Reporting competency.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to execute retail strategies across online and offline channels.
• Insightful understanding of consumer behavior in digital and physical retail environments, coupled with a digital-first mindset.