Introduction

Responsible for the execution of the Shopper Bags, Bottles and Cooler bags and Media strategy. Co-ordinates the delivery of the category strategy to deliver sustainable profitable growth and operational excellence.

Job description

• Develop and execute category strategy to ensure delivery of operational excellence
• Support the co-ordination of the matrix team in order to deliver the category strategy.
• Analyse and interpret market and sales data to develop tactical plans to drive the desired outcome
• Formulate category plans with suppliers
• Monitor and interpret industry and international trends (doing both local and international benchmarking)
• Deliver against operational excellence and KPIs for the department
• Focuses on medium term sustainable market share growth
• Ensures the delivery of sustainable growth for category level.
• Co-ordinates matrix team to effectively deliver KPIs
• Facilitate team direction and pace to effectively deliver KPIs
• Assist team in navigating through obstacles
• Mentor and support the development of Buyers Assistants
• Share category strategy with stakeholders and get their buy in
• Conducts continuous review of supplier performance against plan and course correct based on variables/changes
• Monitors and ensures adherence to ethical compliance
• Manage financial indicators
• Liaise with marketing, sales management, space planning & trade planning to effectively drive the growth of the category
• Ability to actively review factors influencing trade ie; market share, local & international trends, economic climate, competitor activity & changes to customer shopping habits, and translate into strategy.

Minimum requirements

• B Tertiary diploma/degree
• Minimum 3-5 years Buying/Retail experience
• Commercial skills & experience within the Nonfoods Industry (Household, Pet ,Media and Personal Care)– knowledge of store operations, customer profiles, locations & competitors.
• An understanding of Manufacturing and Production planning within a private label supplier would be advantageous.
• Proven experience in managing a Foods/FMCG department
• Proven sourcing and supplier management experience.
• Strong negotiation and financial management skills
• Proactive & Innovative with a continuous improvement mindset
• Has an intimate understanding of who the customer is and the ability to view the world through their eyes
• Strong understanding of global & seasonal trends
• Consistently makes logical deductions from given information and uses these to transform the department
• Is able to consistently convey information clearly and confidently when interacting with teams
• Consistently drives the creation and development of products, services, and experiences that are convenient and innovative for our customers
• Consistently anticipates potential obstacles and identifies project risks that may impact the accomplishment of project deadlines and delivery and escalates these risks where appropriate
• Has knowledge of appropriate retail department systems and related processes across the value chain to manage objectives and enhance their ability to solve problems
• Manages supplier delivery against the business standards and values and maximises value and reduce risks through identification and resolution of limitations/shortcomings