Buyer – Textiles and Bedding Opportunity

Remuneration:	Market related
Location:	Cape Town, Southern Suburbs
Job level:	Junior/Mid
Type:	Permanent
Reference:	#HCH440_201506061324

 

Job description

Achieve financial targets

• Formulate departmental strategies to maximize sales and then timeously source and secure stock to implement accordingly

 

• Achieve sales as per monthly/annual targets set

 

• Achieve cost of net sales

 

• Adhere to product development budget

Drive bedding products creatively and innovatively in product range

• Keep abreast of future trends (using internal and external resources) and build into seasons range

 

• Demonstrate a lateral and innovative approach to all aspects of product, combining creative flair with commercial viability

 

• Ensure range displays a sense of style and attention to detail

 

• Strives for development of unique HomeChoice bedding product

Achieve technical application of product

• Critically appraise successes and failures through analysis and critique sales reports for opportunities

 

• Demonstrates a trader approach in evaluating and taking advantage of opportunities

 

• Builds a focused and effective supplier base, by finding new suppliers and maintaining beneficial relationships with suppliers

 

• Provide detailed and clear briefs to suppliers, marketing, etc.

 

• Demonstrates a sound technical understanding of product and apply this to visualise the end product in production and style

 

• Knowledgably, confidently and professionally presents merchandise at key reviews and meetings

 

• Ensure range is balanced across all variables and lifestyles e.g. contemporary vs traditional

 

• Ensure balanced range across newness and best-selling formulas

 

• Ensure all product meets required quality standards

 

• Ensure quality requirements are communicated effectively to suppliers

Effectively utilise systems and processes

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the manufacturing process, e.g. lead times, costings, etc.

 

• Uses merchandise buying calendar effectively to plan and prioritise work

 

• Effectively utilize information and systems to develop and implement plans

 

• Apply buying processes to manage area effectively

 

• Develop and apply effective administrative and time management skills to logically implement plans and meet department goals and deadlines: time invested versus benefit

 

• Ensure management and follow up on order generation

Display sound trader instinct

• Keep up to date on local and international retail trends and anticipate changes

 

• Identify competitors and monitor their activities closely

 

• Conduct regular store visits in order to compile cross shop reports

 

• Conduct regular contact centre and DC visits to ensure products are properly represented and to identify QA issues

 

• Keep abreast of the impact of bedding trends affecting retail industry and applies this in decision making

 

• Ensure appropriate and effective testing of concepts and products

 

• Use effective presentation skills to represent area and influence decision making

 Display sound reasoning/influencing skills

• Negotiate effectively internally (colleagues, management) and externally (suppliers) to optimise area performance

 

• Utilise consistent and logical use of appropriate information to back up ideas and proposals

 

• Logically rationalise testing of product

 

• Enthuse others with sense of excitement and passion for range and product area

 

• Build and maintain strong relationship with planner(s) to proactively trade area and to manage the forecasting of sales and inventories

 

• Utilize assortment planning best practices to purchase the optimal product selection

 

• Partner with marketing to develop marketing strategies and tactics for area of business

 

Requirements

Qualifications and accreditations

• Relevant tertiary qualification

Experience and skills

• A minimum of two years buying experience in a retail and/or e-commerce environment

 

• A proven solid track record in buying

 

• Experience in sourcing out of China

 

• Buying exposure in bedding or textiles specifically would be advantageous

 

• Fashion-forward sensibility and ability to identify and capitalise on current trends

 

• Proven negotiation skills and experience with supplier management

 

• A clear understanding of the retail cycle and buying process

 

• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of SA’s retail bedding and homeware market, customers and competitors

 

• Advanced level in MS Office package – with a specific focus on Excel and PowerPoint

Attributes and behaviours

• Strong planning and organizational skills

 

• Analytical ability, critical thinking and problem solving skills

 

• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels

 

• Team player with the ability to build relationships at all levels

 

• High performance delivery orientation with a quality focus and within tight deadlines

 

• Is proactive and demonstrate a strong creative flair and ability to be flexible

 

• Assertive with a high degree of decision making ability

 

• An entrepreneurial, creative merchant style of thinking with strong business acumen and understanding of our target market

 

• Emotional maturity, resilience and personal effectiveness

Posted on 08 Jun 08:07