Food Buyer

**Reference**: 7706 DB

**Consultant**: Dorei Barnes

Establish and implement a category strategy in line with a food strategy to deliver targets and grow customer base
Identify, analyse and interpret lifestyle, industry, retail and food trends to establish a category strategy and an annual operating plan
Play a leading and coordinating role within the product development and food technology teams to source, produce and buy food products in support of our food strategy
Perform end-to-end commercial activities relevant to procurement of food products
Identify, evaluate and manage suppliers through building and maintaining strong, sustainable relationships with both new and existing suppliers, whilst drawing on experience from the industry to optimise supply and profitability
Manage supplier and farm supply production profit to achieve all KPI’s
Establish a supplier strategy that is long-term mutually beneficial, which supports and enables the delivery of the category and food strategies
Prepare and review proposals, contracts and supplier agreements for retail and legal correctness, trading term compliance, price, and acceptability of items to specifications and competitiveness with market position
Drive category profit targets in line with the brand values
Manage buying stock and losses in line with targets and category strategy
Manage risk and procedures associated with food products
Ability to actively review factors influencing trade such as economic climate, competitor activity, climatic changes, shopping habits, and customer trends, and implement tactical plans to meet demands and targets in line with the category strategy and brand values

**Qualifications**:
A relevant commercial degree/diploma
Minimum 5-8 years’ fresh food retail buying experience
Previous experience in a procurement management role, with demonstrable results in complex buying within a fresh food manufacturing environment, are essential
Fluent in Afrikaans and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills
Good planning and project management skills
Strong financial buying and financial management skills, in particular cost make up, cost controlling, profit management and financial reporting capabilities
Knowledge of logistics/warehousing, delivery systems and procedures, end-to-end supply chain process, and key influencing factors
Entrepreneurial approach to initiating and coordinating innovative, viable product ranges for our customer target
Strong customer and retail orientation
Excellent computer skills in all facets of use as buying tool

**How to Apply**:
If you are already registered, please forward your CV and the relevant reference number to the consultant with whom you are currently registered in order to avoid duplicity on our system.