Buyers Assistant (Boksburg) at Shoprite Group of Companies

Purpose of the Job    

The purpose of the Buyers Assistant role is to support delivery of the Foods Buying strategic and commercial objectives through the efficient and effective execution of all operational and administrative functions related to the buying process. Key responsibilities include capturing buying related data on the system, placing orders, processing purchase orders and invoices, handling administrative and data queries from vendors, suppliers, DC’s and stores and quality checking all information inputted and captured. The role works collaboratively with the Buyer and Buying team to ensure commercial targets are met and requires a highly organised and detail orientated individual with good energy and drive to deliver on expectations and get things done. 

Job Objectives    

• Working with the divisional buyer to manage the Buying department  
• Determine / extrapolate the correct pricing for different units of measure so that the correct pack size, cost and unit sale price on supplier vendor number are accurately loaded. 
• Quality check cost and sales price loading after Buyers set up clusters (group per brand and store size / layout module), immediately correcting any errors identified. 
• Capture and load retail prices ensuring a high degree of accuracy and meticulousness.  
• Timeously resolve store queries raised as incidents and range / derange as appropriate.  
• Facilitate and support Checkline with consumer queries, (e.g., stock availability and placing orders), arranging IBTs as required. 
• Maintain accurate, timeous loading of newly listed products on the Buying platform as approved by the Buyer.  
• Set flags on system to range/list products at store level.  
• Timeously capture deranging and mark downs. 
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate filing of invoices, costing documents, new article forms, and update documents per supplier.  
• Generate comprehensive reports for appropriate actioning and reviews by the Buyer. 
• Monitor and track progress and performance against KPI’s and proactively resolve issues or escalate to Buyer as required.   

Qualifications    

• Grade 12 certificate

Experience    

• +2 years’ experience in a similar capacity or role, executing administrative functions and support related to the buying or planning process 
• Exposure to a retail buying environment 
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 with well-developed Excel skills to prepare detailed spreadsheets using formulas 
• Ability to use purchasing software 

Knowledge and Skills    

• Motivated self-starter with personal energy & drive. 
• Quick learner - Rapidly learns new tasks relevant to own job and quickly commits information to memory. Rapid understanding of newly presented information and applies it to own role. Ability to understand and integrate data from various sources to come to sound conclusions.  Numerical & data processing skills – Able to perform numeric / financial calculations and capture data / transactions from various source documents while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. 
• Detailed & rule-orientated - Follows procedures, vigilantly watches over work processes, tasks and outputs to ensure accuracy and initiates action to correct any quality or data integrity concerns.
• Organised - Plans and organizes own work effectively and delivers against deadlines and quality standards. Focuses personal efforts on achieving results aligned to organisational objectives.
• Able to work under pressure while prioritising under tight time constraints. 
• Communication skills – Good spoken and written fluency in English along with the ability to convey information and data clearly, accurately and succinctly.
• Team player & collaborative partner – Contributes to a positive team morale while working collaboratively with colleagues to resolve issues. Builds sound relationships both internally and externally and manages client / customer expectations well.