Senior Buyer - Homeware Kitchen

SUMMARY:
Future Careers is recruiting a Senior Buyer for a leading South African retailer. This opportunity suits a commercially driven buying professional with strong product instincts, an understanding of customer trends and the ability to deliver profitable seasonal ranges.

POSITION INFO:

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute customer-led seasonal product strategies aligned with business objectives and brand positioning.
• Partner with Design, Sourcing and Planning to build balanced, trend-relevant and profitable ranges across channels.
• Use customer insights, market research and trend forecasting tools to inform product selection and innovation.
• Oversee product development, quality, costing and pricing architecture.
• Analyse trade performance and implement actions to improve sales, margins, sell-through and stock health.
• Build supplier relationships and support sourcing strategies and merchandise timelines.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Technical, Visual Merchandising and Sales teams to deliver consistent product execution.
• Manage, coach and develop junior buying team members and Buying Assistants.
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Requirements

• Relevant three-year diploma or degree.
• Must have proven experience in buying within a Homeware portfolio, specifically the Kitchen category.
• Experience managing a kitchen and brands portfolio would be advantageous.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver buying strategies and commercially successful ranges.
• Strong trend interpretation, product conceptualisation and local and international market knowledge.
• Sound understanding of buying processes, pricing, mark-ups, markdowns and stock performance.
• Strong numerical, analytical, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• People management and coaching experience.
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with working knowledge of PLM and EDITED; familiarity with WGSN would be beneficial.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally.