Buyer

**Purpose of the Job**:
The purpose of the Buyer role is to execute the buying strategy of the Furniture Group through the planning, selection and procurement of a range of products within a category that results in the achievement of profitability goals and targets. The Buyer executes all aspects of the buying process for a product category, creating a compelling assortment that meets financial targets and supports brand objectives. The role further ensures sales growth and increases in gross margins by considering market trends and customer demand in terms of price, quality and availability when making purchasing decisions. The Buyer works collaboratively with suppliers, category, marketing and store operations teams to execute the buying strategy, ensuring a consistent customer experience and aligned execution of pricing, promotions, ranging, display and layout.

**Job Objectives**:

- Product range and line determination
- Ensure first place in the market by maintaining price competitiveness
- Ensure a comprehensive coverage of categories through effective range rationalisation, aligned to strategy and brand logic.
- Maintain effective administration (across all areas) Product pricing administration
- Maintain competitiveness in cost and selling prices
- Base price objectives on knowledge of market prices, current trends and/or market leaders
- Effectively utilise negotiation to achieve pricing objectives
- Ensure confidentiality is maintained regarding sensitive information
- Advertising and promotions management
- Selection of lines and management of price points
- Continuously track competitor pricing
- Ensure availability of stock at suppliers
- Timeously supply information to Marketing
- Resolve stock level issues in stores and distribution centres
- Remain up to date with price movements and shortages in order to proactively advise the distribution centres International sourcing
- Identify potential gaps and international trends in order to source profitable products
- Manage the end-to-end supply chain process Determine merchandising layout that is practical and reflective of consumer patterns

**Qualifications**:

- Degree or Diploma in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field, or experience in a buying role, with demonstrable experience executing all aspects of the buying process for a large retail organisation - (essential)

**Experience**:

- Demonstrable experience with sourcing and supplier management along with complex vendor / supplier negotiations - (essential).
- Well-developed understanding of supply chain concepts, processes and systems - (essential).
- Comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing a product’s cost and selling prices - (essential).
- Proficiency in MS Office 365 - (essential).

**Knowledge and Skills**:

- Buying focus - Highlights commercial thinking around P&L. Provides input into, aligns with, and supports sales targets. Identifies, and pursues new buying opportunities to optimise revenue generation. Understands their target audience and can predict future trends so that they can purchase what customers want.
- Analytical, data-driven, and highly numerate - Ability to analyse complex and multiple data sources, identify trends and develop accurate conclusions to support category decisions. Understands and can deal with complex buying / procurement processes including negotiations.
- Commercial acumen - Understands business and financial principles in the retail environment. Navigates key processes, issues and risks that drive success; and how they impact on commercial viability and profitability.
- Passionate about the customer and obsessed with the latest consumer products and trends and making customers’ lives easier.
- Organised with a focus on execution, quality, and continuous improvement. Good decision making and prioritisation skills, especially when multiple trade-offs are involved, and fast decisions are required.
- Collaborative partner - Collaborates and builds sound relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders to drive decisions and create value for the category.
- Communication skills - Communicates effectively while being able to convert complex concepts into well-articulated messages. Adopts a range of influencing and negotiation styles to facilitate and deal with challenges internally and externally.
- Flexible and resilient - Able to work in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple and competing priorities while managing ambiguity and adapting as the business evolves.
- Self-motivated and driven with strong integrity - Take accountability for actions and mistakes.
- Innovative and solution-orientated - Thinks outside of the box. Sound judgment, quick decision-making and the ability to generate solutions that serve the flow of work and meeting deadlines.

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