Buyer - New Born & Kids Segment - Retail (3-8 yrs)

About our Client:

Establishing its first retail brand in 1988, Our client has come a long way in making its mark in the Retail Industry with over 270+ retail outlets & 400,000+ sq. meters retail space. The company continues to build the dreams of over 5000+ employees consciously making a positive difference to the lives of 26+Million customers.

Their purpose is to provide customers and their families with a memorable shopping experiences, always finding ways to create opportunities to fulfill their wishes and to enlighten and enrich their lives to the fullest. Their steady growth is a testament to their resilience and success in creating an exciting future for our people and customers. This has only been possible in seeking new ways to be agile and re-investing back into the company, and above all building trust and equity with their customers, suppliers, stake holders and the Family of their people.

Job Purpose:

To buy and implement department product strategy and tactical plans by ensuring that the category(s) purchased reflects the retail trends at best commercial value and the planned stock figures

Reports to: Buying Manager

Key Accountabilities:

Operational:

- Determines the buying requirements and formulates buying plan as per budget for the assigned category, based on the analysis of the historical trends and future forecasts

- Identify and shortlist potential vendors as partners and negotiating commercials Negotiate prices in line with the desired level of margins

- Maintain an extensive level of communication with the planning team for applying previous performance analysis into the process of range direction and selection Create and define product ranges for the different product categories within budget Create or assist the Buying manager in the process of creating the range direction, selection and final sign off

- Creates buying plans for one to two departments while ensuring profitability by maintaining and building customer focused category lines

- Aligns the buying plan to the overall business plan and strategy as laid down by the management

- Tracks and evaluates category sales performance, market sales trends and competitor trading activities to identify critical business factors and accordingly propose action plans to increase sales and profitability

- Assure preproduction quality check is executed in a timely manner with the quality control manager collaboration

- Oversees and manages placement of orders based on the buying plans and ensures merchandise is delivered as per the plan based on the agreed service level agreement

- Responsible for negotiating price and ensuring delivery arrangements with Suppliers/Vendors within set budget

- Ensures effective communication, collation, and followup on various product requirements and findings obtained from the sales/store data

- Ensures the development of periodic reports on consumer behavior, consumer trends per product etc. to facilitate decisions to manage product lines

- Coordinate with the Central Distribution Center, Quality Controllers, Stores, Visual Merchandising and any other function on issues relating to the brand

- Regularly Reviewing performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels Develop awareness about the organized, unorganized category segments and identifying their strengths and weaknesses and share the same with the buying manager

- Periodically reviewing performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels Maintain high level of product knowledge, plus ensuring the product is procured within the acceptable standard norms of quality and fit

- Manage the distribution of tasks among the reporting team, allowing a proper flow of tasks and a smooth finalization of the buying plan

- Travel individually or with the companion of other members from the Buying Team for Buying and preparing for seasons buying plans

- Conduct periodic store visits to collect feedback from the stores

People Management:

- Manages and monitors the day to day activities of the buying team, providing guidance as and when required

- Guide and Coach the team in developing better business skills

Product and Process Improvement

- Apply experience on evolving new procurement methods, introducing new suppliers, or production lines to assure cost efficiency

Qualification and Experience:

Education and Certification

- Bachelor degree in Fashion Designing

- Bachelor degree in a Retail Function, Marketing, Business Management, Procurement, or Financial Management

Knowledge and Skills

- Proficient in MS Office

- Proficient Level of presentation and Negotiating skills

Experience

- 5+ years of experience in buying for a medium enterprises Experience in Related product line is required

- Experience in purchasing and importing products from commercially viable sources/regions is an advantage