Buying Manager: RFO at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy Development and Execution 

• Develop and execute seasonal product strategies in line with the company strategy 
• Work closely with the Planning Manager to develop cohesive action plans to execute the brand strategy 
• Evaluate strategic progress and pivot where necessary to achieve strategic objectives
• identify Key Macro and micro economic trends that will impact on the implementation of the buying strategy and plan accordingly. 

Product Development 

• Own and manage the product development cycle from range conceptualisation to design, pre-production sample approvals and bulk production approvals.
• Manage the range architecture and price tiering of seasonal ranges ensuring a credible and balanced assortment is on offer across store grids and online channels. 
• Ensure relevant global trends are well represented in the range and aligned to customer preferences
• Ensure Authentic product execution in line with the brand ethos
• Deliver a clear value proposition in support of the brand positioning. 
• Sign off product strategy at various review stages in the product development process

KPI and Trade Management 

• Display a clear understanding of the business against weekly, monthly and seasonal sales performance to plan.
• Drive key action plans based on current performance to maximise sales, improve sales margin and minimize markdown.
• Drive an In-Season trade mentality in your buying team that displays agility and quick decision making to shift the outcome of sales.
• Manage key performance indicators including Sales, Sales Margin, Clearance and Stock Management

Cross Functional Collaboration and Communication 

• Maintain a collaborative relationship with the planning, e- commerce, marketing and store operations teams to ensure cohesive execution of product strategies
• Provide guidance and support to the marketing team on product launches, promotions and product initiatives 

Supplier Management 

• Forge strategic partnerships with key suppliers by aligning supply base to the business strategy 
• Evaluate and manage supplier performance on a regular basis and identify potential risks within the supplier loading.
• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve margin targets and improve lead time efficiency 
• Maintain strong relationships with existing vendors and explore opportunities for new partnerships
• Ensure Suppliers are compliant with the Group’s Social and Ethical requirements and contribute towards the brand’s sustainability strategy 

Team Leadership and Talent Management 

• Ensure that assigned team is effectively resourced, directed, motivated and developed to enable team members to reach their full potential.
• Drive and develop the performance of the team with a view to optimise delivery and achievement of objectives whilst effectively managing performance issues or concerns
• Ensure learning and development opportunities are available to the team. 
• Cultivate a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement within the team to optimise sales and deliver KPI’s.
• Mentor, Coach and develop the team to support their career development 
• Manage various functions within the buying department including buying, design and quality assurance and ensuring alignment across these functions.

Critical Path and Lead Time Management

• Ensure buying critical path aligns to the merchandise cycle to deliver the on time launch of product.
• Evaluate buying process efficiency and evolve process accordingly to support faster and more accurate decision making 
• Constantly identify opportunities to reduce lead times

Project Management 

• Participate and align business projects to group strategic projects
• Implement and evolve key retail projects such as 3D, Sustainability and Quick Response 

Market Analysis 

• Conduct regular store and market visits to understand the competitor landscape and identify new opportunities for growth

Qualifications and Experience:

• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Minimum 3 years working experience at a management level, incl. people / team management
• Minimum 10 years relevant buying / merchandise experience is essential

Skills: 

• Proven track record in building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships
• Proven track record and ability to drive a merchandise strategy by demonstrating innovative and creative thinking
• Ability to persuade and influence both internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to aggressive deadlines, incl. problem solving
• Exceptional analytical ability to effectively evaluate and drive functional KPIs, incl. sales growth, PIS, CSOH, input- and maintained margins, stock turn, clearance
• Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of organisation
• Proven leadership and People management ability

Behaviours: 

• Applies market and business insights in order to drive organisational objectives 
• Forms, develops and leads a group of individuals toward the achievement of a common team objective
• Creates an environment that fosters and nurtures a culture of creativity which drives success
• Thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation 
• Develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives 
• Understands and navigates dynamics created by processes, systems, and people
• Assesses and improves the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of various work processes
• Quickly adapts and acquires new knowledge, skills, and competencies in a rapidly changing environment
• Interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems