BUYER JOB DESCRIPTION
As a Buyer, your main responsibility is to develop and implement a product strategy to increase sales and profits while maintaining customer loyalty. You will collaborate with internal teams to execute seasonal product plans and ensure adherence to budgets for successful implementation. Additionally, you'll oversee procurement processes, manage purchase orders, and assist in developing purchasing procedures.
An Overview of Buyer Job Description Responsibilities and Qualifications
1. We are seeking an experienced Buyer to join our team, focusing on our travel/luggage category. The perfect candidate will possess extensive buying expertise, particularly at a senior level, preferably within the luggage/bags/accessories sector. Your responsibilities will involve formulating and executing merchandise plans for designated product categories across seasonal ranges. This entails sourcing an optimal product mix to consistently delight customers while actively pursuing new opportunities. You will assume ownership of sales and profits within your designated categories, with a commitment to surpassing expectations and driving category growth.
Buyer Roles and Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement the product strategy by building the optimal merchandise mix to achieve sales and profit objectives, and maintain customer loyalty
- Design, develop and source merchandise for the defined product area by evaluating historical performance, market trends, retail store needs, and in keeping with promotional plans
- Maximize net margins through pricing strategies, negotiating, discounting and markdowns
- Develop a product that satisfies merchandise plans for each season’s new range through buying trips, visiting suppliers, conducting competitor analysis
- Present product plans for the season in conjunction with the Buying Director and Planning team
- Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure budgets are achieved and expenditure is controlled within budget levels
- Maintain up to date knowledge of the industry, consumer preferences and expectations, competitor activities, local and overseas market trends
- Identify opportunities with innovation in mind and react where required
- Optimise profitability by establishing and maintaining long term and mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers
- Undertaking negotiations with suppliers collaboratively, actively consulting with them and encouraging input/feedback into range development, market positioning and pricing
- Provide advice and support to internal stakeholders for the defined product area, eg. VM, Marketing, Operations, Ecommerce
- Lead, manage and coordinate Buying Assistant/s to ensure all administrative tasks are undertaken effectively and efficiently, including accurate costing, order placement, all product and system maintenance
Buyer Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Experience and proven ability as a Buyer, preferably within travel & accessories
- Experience in product development and range building with overseas product sourcing experience
- High level of initiative and drive to succeed
- Passion for the product
- Strong Business acumen
- Strong analytical and numerical skills
- Highly organised with good attention to detail
- Strong communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills
- Competent with systems and programs such as Microsoft Excel and quick to learn
- Strong understanding and ability for market research
- Exceptional negotiation skills
- Proven ability to achieve tight deadlines
- Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills
- Commercially aware with a gut feel for fashion and market trends
- Strong management skills with the ability to delegate, motivate and develop teams
- Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels
2. We are in search of a Buyer to oversee the procurement of parts, services, and equipment from both Domestic and International suppliers. In this role, you will tackle the evolving challenges within the supply chain by devising innovative solutions while fostering robust relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders alike. Your responsibilities will include documenting and refining processes, as well as incorporating best practices into our ERP implementation from the ground up. We're seeking someone who is hands-on and driven, with a keen eye for growth opportunities within the role.
Buyer Duties and Responsibilities:
- Order materials, supplies, and equipment and provide status updates
- Create, track, monitor, and expedite purchase orders
- Utilize the inventory system to properly account for issues, returns, receipts of new materials, and associated backorders
- Work with vendors on order discrepancies, damaged items, returns, and backorder items
- Assist in the development and documentation of processes and procedures for purchasing, inventory management, and material schedules
- Assist with implementing and integrating an ERP system (SAP B1)
Buyer Skills, Experience, Qualifications:
- At least three years of procurement and inventory management experience
- Previous experience with ERP systems (bonus points for SAP B1)
- Working knowledge of inventory control and purchasing practices
- Ability to work with suppliers to handle buyer responsibilities such as requests for quote, order acknowledgment, open order status, delivery tracking, and order expediting
- Detail-oriented
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
- Degree or Certification in logistics and supply chain, or related field
- Experience with Google Docs/Sheets