Category Assistant (FMCG) - Midrand at Dis-Chem Pharmacies

Dis-Chem Pharmacies’ Head Office in Midrand has an opportunity available for a Category Assistant to join the FMCG team. The main purpose of this role is to play an integral role in collaborating with all levels of procurement, as well as participation in the sales and customer category planning. The primary accountability is to deliver the right product at the right place and at the right time while effectively managing Dis-Chem’s recommended action plans to maintain store in-stock benchmarks. 

Minimum Requirements…

Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric with Mathematics and Accounting
• Minimum 1 – 2 years’ experience in Customer Service/Planning/Business Analysis within Retail
• Certificate in Supply Chain or Similar Field

Advantageous:

• Diploma/Degree in Supply Chain
• 2 – 3 years’ experience in a similar role

 Job Specification…

 Stock Management:

• Assist in the replenishment of orders through Foresting and Replenishment processes and systems.
• Monitor weekly stock holding in the Distribution Centre or supplier deliveries and maintain required day of supply as set out with management.
• Oversee inventory and suggest transfers to prevent overstock issues and balance network inventory
• Maintain daily stock cover in line with the group or buyer requirements.
• Ensure promotional planning of stock.
• Resolve inbound order issues, returns and supplier recalls.
• Assist and coordinate category marketing processes

Sales & Inventory Level Monitoring

• Conduct weekly business analysis, ensure proper inventory level by consistently reviewing days stock cover, sell through and trend.
• Ensure frequent updating of parameter to replenishment system
• Roll out new replenishment products, suggest opportunities for expansion as well as reduction of non-performing products.
• Take pro-active measures to minimise out of stocks.
• Analyse store and warehouse flows to predict potential out of stocks and determine the best actions needed to remedy to optimize availability and maximise inventory efficiency.
• Analyse past and current business trends and provide recommendations in order to improve opportunities; gain alignment on recommendations and implement findings.

 Promotions and Analysis:

• Identify issues and maximize data availability (SAP, BI) to make recommendations that will benefit both our stores and DC (Distribution Centres).
• Monitor and control promotion ordering.
• Track promotions by analysing promotion post-mortems and formulate recommendation to improve processes for the next activity.
• Conduct Independent analysis of all key metrics and relevant business inputs.

Stakeholder Liaison:

• Ensure to communicate with all suppliers on all issues as they appear.
• Ensure optimal communication with suppliers.
• Communicate and coordinate between Marketing, Sales, Customer Service and Operations during shortfalls.
• Engage in team meetings to communicate on company initiatives status and execution.
• Collaborate with internal supply planning team on future inventory needs.

General Administration:

• Manage and attend to HEAT calls as they come in on a daily basis.
• Maintain units of measure and master data that affects ordering and F&R.
• Check supplier in fill rates weekly.
• Adhere to all company and business unit deadlines
• Maintain absolute confidentiality covering all company information

Competencies

Essential:

• Knowledge of implementation of policies and procedures
• Finds solutions to potential issues as well as knowing when to escalate the problem and what level to escalate it to.
• Conveys ideas and facts verbally using language. Grasps the meaning of information written in English
• Builds constructive working relationships characterised by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Recognises the need for procedures and follows relevant procedures.
• Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with little oversight. Sticks to commitments.
• Computer skills – Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. 

Special conditions of employment:

• South African citizen
• May require to travel
• MIE, clear criminal and credit
• Driver’s license and/or own reliable transport