Junior Buyer – Birkenstock needed at Ares Holdings

Job Summary

• The Junior Buyer is in charge of choosing products that will be sold in South Africa. With a given budget, the Junior Buyer is tasked with picking products for the store based on the demand and the trends in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Buying Strategy

• Attend brand seasonal sales meetings and other relevant travel requirements. Select from the pre-existing range, making intuitive selections that suit the SA customer, so optimums are achieved alongside other developing.
• Become and remain the regional subject matter expert in terms of product features, specifications, and categorisation.
• Establish shipment plan and identify consolidation opportunities for cost reduction based on OOR reconciliation.
• Understand the current wholesale and retail strategy and make recommendations in developing product strategies and range building in line with the business vision.
• Maintain strong awareness of the commercial potential of product in the market from a price point of view and assist in developing appropriate pricing structures.
• Assist Planner in identifying sales patterns for future seasons and place forecasts and orders for the SA market.

Operational Partnerships

• Manage the delivery of samples to Head Office as necessary maintaining responsibility for this inventory until signed over to the relevant merchant.
• Work with marketing, sales, and Planner to set up promotions to drive underperformers to clear stock.
• Conduct sell-ins promoting new, fresh product to Retail and Wholesale clients.
• With the sales and marketing functions, manage the full GTM sales process from planning, co-ordinating and developing sales tools that directly support the sell-in process for both existing and new accounts (catalogues, pricelist lists, order forms, delivery dates, showroom prep, catering, trade marketing support)
• Review previous season merchandise with Planner to identify possible reasons for success or non-performance and note for future reference.
• Ensure optimal samples are selected that are applicable to the South African market.
• Ensure that buy-plans are well detailed and clearly understood by team members and relevant stakeholders.
• Meet range development deadlines in order to ensure supplier deadlines are met.
• Manage Stock levels in line with orders!
• Assist Retail Ops team in the opening of new Brand House stores with specific focus on stock planning.
• Ensure along with Visual Merchandiser and Retail manager that product is displayed in all stores according to brand Standards.
• Ensure accurate requested ship dates to ease cash flow pressures.

 Reporting and Analytics

• Develop and continually evaluate all reports in order to monitor stock arrival in SA, sales, history, seasonal sales analysis, aged inventory etc.
• Report on inventory tracker and forecasting report
• Feedback market trend information to the team and suggest best merchandising practice to maximise turnover.
• Assist in the mapping and architecture of the IT system for order management, logistical support, buying, point of sale, order tracking and Bl tools etc.
• Develop and continually evaluate all reports in order to establish sales history, seasonal sales analysis, aged inventory & liquidation plans etc.
• Review relevant historical information and make recommendations to management and Wholesale customers for product segmentation in stores.
• Build and manage a consumption tool to react early to plan across channels.

Requirements:

• Relevant Degree (BCom) or related Diploma in Retail Management/Planning/Supply Chain/Merchandise Management
• 3 – 5 years’ experience in a similar role
• Knowledge of an ERP system

Critical Competencies:

• Strategic agility and able to articulate the vision and purpose.
• Ability and experience in managing a dynamic, diverse, and decentralised team.
• Advanced Excel skills
• Highly numerate, analytical, and detailed orientated