Lead - Buying

Job Purpose:

• Execute the objectives set for respective category in line with overall category strategy, resulting in its growth and thereby contribute to the overall profitability of Hyderabad Duty Free business.
• Monitor existing Non-Liquor categories like Perfumes & Cosmetics, Confectionery, Destination and Introduce new categories like Electronics, Sunglasses, Watches and Lifestyle etc.

Role & responsibilities:

• Sales, Purchase, Profit margins Monitor/track the monthly performance of brands and budgets. Deliver the objectives in terms of Annual plans for sales, purchase and the profitability of respective category. Achieve financial objectives adhering to the annual procurement budget; maintaining margin targets; monitoring expenditures and suggesting control measures; analyzing variances; implementing corrective actions.
• Category Buying Make forecasts for product demand to derive category buying plans. Executing buying processes and placing appropriate orders to ensure adequate stock levels throughout the year and are meeting customer demands, adhering to buying standard operating procedure.
• Brand Co-ordination Manage all interface with respective Suppliers / brands, collaborate with the brand team to expand product ranges, new SKUs in the category. Foster long term and sustainable relationships with suppliers to achieve better deliverables in terms of pricing, quality products, promotions and business support. Act as a support function to the Head - Category in negotiating additional income from the brands in terms of Volume Linked Discounts, Rentals, Incentives, and Co-branding support.
• Pricing & Promotions Setting competitive pricing points and adjusting the same to increase sales and to deplete stagnant inventory. Execution and monitoring of both vendor / self-funded Mega/Mini/Special Promotions and analyze the impact on respective category growth and to initiate corrective steps as advised by the Head Category.
• Operational Support Facilitate brand trainings for sales team. Recruit, motivate and evaluate overall performance of Brand Ambassadors of respective category resulting in sales productivity and brand building

Preferred candidate profile:

• Graduation with MBA (preferable)
• 12 to 16 years of experience in Category Management in Travel Retail / Duty Free Business.