Central Buying Analyst

Overview

A fixed-term contract opportunity has become available. We are looking for a **Central Buying Analyst: Products**, the main purpose of the role is to **centrally analyse all product** related practices and attributes in order to **deliver cross-functional insights** to the business that **support the buying initiatives and strategic priorities**.

The contract period is from **17 July 2023 till 12 January 2024**.

**Qualifications**:

- A Grade 12 Certificate/Matric
- A relevant degree /qualification in Fashion, Textile Design /Clothing Production/ Product Development /Merchandising, Finance/Planning or relevant degree

**Experience required**:

- Retail buying or planning experience of at least 3 years in clothing
- Integral understanding of the Clothing Retail Cycle & Product Attributes

**Knowledge required**:

- Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying/Planning and Product Attributing
- Knowledge of Merchandise principles & strategies
- A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SA’s retail clothing market, customers and competitors

**Skills required**:

- Creative interpretation and articulation of data
- A sound ability to analyse and work with numerical data
- The ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the company
- Merchant skills & a sound commercial mentality
- Exceptional planning, organizing & time management skills
- The ability to be resilient, have tenacity and maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure

**Key responsibilities**:

- To be responsible for the central collation, effective use/implementation and governance of:

- All Product Attributes used across the SBU’s
- Comp shop Review Findings
- Match Review Strategic minutes
- Licensor Character information
- Marketing Briefs
- Product Tech Packaging Development
- Continuously analyse and report from a centralized view and provide strategic insights on:

- Product Performance
- Product Attributes audits
- RBS & Price Rhythms
- Famous Fours, disruptors and OTIF performance
- Product support on strategic Marketing Campaigns
- Character
- Represent the Buying role, its functions & processes in Company projects:

- Process Improvement Projects
- Strategic interventions (e.g. Quick Response, Product UDA’s, First Insights testing)
- Responsible for the creative articulation and packaging of product related management reports and presentations
- Strategic thinking, conceptualisation and steps taken display strong business acumen, across all milestones in the merchandise cycle
- Departmental Sales Performance
- Concepts are relevant to our customer’s needs and in line with our purchasing strategy
- Range build is executed to offer a balanced range across colours & key silhouettes to enable wardrobe building and co-ordinated looks
- Orders (fits and seals) are delivered on-time within the agreed critical path dates
- Marketing processes are followed and advertising specifications adhered to
- The appropriate suppliers are selected according to the standards required for each product category
- Negotiation skills enable the achievement of business objectives through effective partnerships with suppliers
- Supplier communication is effective and ensures effective performance in line with business expectations.