Buyer: Dairy (24 Month Contract) needed at Woolworths

Introduction

• To procure a range of products to meet the business objectives of profit, excellent quality, and availability, thereby driving the market share and profitability of your category. To manage a broad supplier base, building effective and collaborative relationships in support of the aforementioned.

Job description

• Key responsibility with the end-2-end management of the Dairy Department.
• Drive market share and profitability of the category.
• Give input to Category and Supplier strategies.
• Delivery of the Dairy category development strategy across the stakeholders.
• Submit weekly Dairy Procurement Plans to meet WW Foods requirements.
• Implement & Manage supplier Open Book Costing Models.
• Manage financial indicators and all expenses.
• Manage Supplier Category Growth Funds.
• Develop and implement pricing and promotional strategies.
• Input into the NPD process, considering product and price tiers as well as commercial KPI’s.
• Manage & Develop Promo plans as well as review promo strategies.
• Give input to the planning and forecasting of products and ranges.
• Build and manage relationships with a diverse range of suppliers / team members.
• Integrate with Marketing, Sales Management, and Assortment & Space to maximize sales and promotions in stores.
• Liaise with Distribution regarding Supply Chain issues.
• Monitor and react to industry and international trends.

Minimum requirements

• Finance or Management / Costing Accounting background with strong Excel skills.
• Category management experience.
• Clear understanding of margin, GP mechanics and influencing factors.
• Proactive & Innovative (energy) with a continuous improvement mindset will be vital.
• Procurement & Buying experience within a retail, FMCG environment or Dairy / Agriculture industry experience – knowledge of store operations, customer profiles, locations & competitors.
• A minimum of 5 years in Buying or Retail experience.
• Technical understanding of the Dairy category is advantageous.
• Proven sourcing and supplier management experience.
• Commercial skills and experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of Supply Chain concepts, processes, and systems.
• Understanding of factors influencing a product’s cost and selling prices.
• Proven ability to co-ordinate and deliver the category operating plan.
• Strong integrator across a Matrix Team with proven leadership skills and people management skills, as well as the ability to coach and mentor junior team members.
• Strong negotiation and financial management skills.
• Proven ability to deliver the following category KPIs:
• Market share
• Sales growth (like for like)
• Gross Profit (Percentage and Cash)
• People Management
• Supplier performance
• ROS (waste/ shrinkage/departmental charges/sample cost
• Supplier order fills and EODs.
• Quality / high standard mindset.
• Strong customer and retail orientation – sound business acumen; commercial awareness; good judgment; emotional resilience.
• Entrepreneurial – ability to initiate and implement innovative and viable business ideas and to accept accountability for the outcome.
• Team player with understanding of diversity.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal