The company is a highly competitive player in the retail sector, based in Cape Town. Our firm is searching for a driven, detailed-oriented, experienced and highly competent Retail Buyer in the FMCG market, who is primarily responsible for the planning, selecting and buying of merchandise for the Distribution Centre (Pty) Ltd.  Duties include market research, competitor analysis, product evaluations, monitoring purchase orders and creating reports for the management team. The successful candidate will have a strong industry knowledge of FMCG, with the ability to forecast future needs. The successful candidate for this position has experience in the buying of FMCG, a strong negotiator and understanding of supply chain management concepts.

.

• Purchase goods to ensure that the company operational needs are met, taking into account price, quality and delivery and to ensure continuity of supply. The pricing, quality and variety of products on our shelves are essential for our success.
• Ensure highly competitive purchase prices to enable the Supermarkets to compete and better the competition prices to the public, while maintaining a healthy profit.
•  Maintaining proper inventory levels of products in the Distribution Centre. (Adequate quality stock to meet requirements)

• Commercial and financial awareness with a full understanding of how failure (price & availability) impacts the Distribution Centre, the supermarkets and customer expectations (satisfaction)
• Work closely with marketing department to determine weekly promotional lines and leaflets.
• Annalistic – Identifying customer preferences and trends and reacting to any changes in customer demands. Getting feedback from customers.
• Arrange merchandisers for stores. Including wet demos and advertising material. Supplier involvement on the shop floor to increase sales.
• Develop an efficient and accurate system for monitoring the supply chain and stock levels.
• Communicate any supply problems which may impact on business operations
• Monitor and advise on any issues which present risk or opportunity to the group.
•  Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers. Compare competitor pricing and get customer feedback.
•  Provide analysis on costs, new and existing and review cost reduction activities.
•  Prepare reports and updates as and when required
•  Work closely with others in the procurement function and review opportunities for continuous improvement and business improvements
•  Negotiate contracts, improve prices and terms of business with suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings utilising negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods
•  Prepare and raise purchase orders and order schedules
•  Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and keep up good communications and ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships
•  Ensure compliance to company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures during supplier negotiations and contracts award process.
•  Compile data relating to supplier performance to enable evaluation. Assess and evaluate suppliers and contribute to performance reviews to ensure compliance
•  Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery or invoice issues.
• Work with the Distribution Centre management team to ensure that all deliveries satisfy the assigned purchase orders and follow up on any back-ordered or missing products. Ensure timely delivery.

• Matric – compulsory  (Bachelor's Degree or diploma in a related field would be beneficial)

• Excellent effective negotiating skills. (compulsory) Good communication, negotiation, interpersonal, influencing skills and a deal-maker. Ability to get the best possible pricing.
• Minimum of 5 year’s experience of buying FMCG  (Good understanding and market knowledge of FMCG)
• Computer literate - Comprehensive understanding of MS Excel, MS Word and industry standard purchase order software platforms
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Impeccable attention to detail. Analytical, numerically astute with strong demonstrated problem solving abilities. Keen attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work well with a team and proactively contributes to the management team and the continues improvement of the  group. Able to add value, reduce costs and continues input to business improvements and competency.
• Ability to build and maintain strong trust relationships with suppliers to promote fair dealing.
• Integrity - Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings.
• Be positive, energise, self-motivated, optimistic and go getter

Attractive package on offer for the right candidate