Category Assistant Sorbet at Clicks Group

Main Purpose

To help manage development projects and provide status updates to the Sorbet NPD buyer, as well as to support the Senior Sorbet NPD buyer and Technical Manager with all duties relating to Sorbet.

Job Objectives

• To plan, execute and monitor development projects (packaging redesigns) on behalf of the NPD Buyer, through coordinating and engaging with key stakeholders (NPD Buyer, Category Manager, Technologist and BTB) to ensure successful on time delivery.
• To brief and develop packaging redesigns in line with Brand strategy and to provide regular status updates on these projects.
• To store and label all supplier NPD, benchmark and competitors samples to ensure accessibility when needed.
• To assist Sorbet buyers and Technical Manager on all ad-hoc administrative duties, such as meeting scheduling, courier management, assistance with board report, filing, pulling reports, sales analysis, sample tracking and arranging bi-monthly meetings including the agenda and meeting minutes.
• To assist in all duties related to the planning and execution of Christmas presentations to the Operating Board and media, including monitoring timeline, arranging venue, sourcing samples from Category and ensuring payment is made to all vendors.
• To assist with all duties related to Sorbet board pack reviews
• To assist the Packaging and Research Coordinator with tasks required to compile and communicate the Clique internal magazine
• To assist the Sorbet buyers and Private Label Executive with drawing reports for Monday Scorecard meetings, including sales and promotional performance analysis.
• To assist NPD Buyers in all administrative duties relating to RAG approval, such as sample tracking and courier process
• To ensure Private Label business reporting and business perception is upheld through quarterly Private label flagging to ensure SKUs are classified correctly; Private Label cabinet show cases latest launches (foyer, MD and CEO office)

Minimum requirements

Reporting & General Administration

• Assist NPD buyer, Senior NPD Buyer and Technical Manager on all ad-hoc administration duties which include, setting up meetings, courier management, pulling reports, sales analysis, compiling of presentations and RAG approvals such as tracking of samples that are being couriered.
• Assist NPD Buyer on building reports on analysis of sales and trend reports internally and externally to guide product development and on focus areas.
• Pull Monday scorecard sales and analysis and feedback to NPD buyer.
• Assist in all duties related to analysing and compiling competitor reviews. 
• Assist with processing royalty payments.
• Sample managements e.g.: photography of samples, labelling and storing of samples.

Brand Equity

• Assist NPD Buyer in the creative briefing of the brand look at feel for each range and coordinate sign off development across buyers for quality and strategy execution.
• Assist NPD buyer in developing creative packaging, with our in-house agency and the brand. 
• To assist NPD buyer in getting sign off from management and the brand, and then ensure correct implementation. 
• Work in partnership with our in-house technical teams, NPD buyers and suppliers to deliver the NPD plan including motivating claims and compelling proof that our products work. 
• Work with Beauty Technologist and suppliers on compiling all Exports documentation by building effective communication and meeting deadlines to export products to the UK and Dubai.
• Assist NPD buyer to ensure that the brand is well represented in store in appearance and suitability of store profile.
• To manage the Special Occasion’s Meeting room for reviews, weekly and month status meetings; i.e.: ticketing of products.
• Update the Executive and Foyer Cabinets quarterly with latest brands products.
• Collate brand training material via suppliers for store communications and training manuals in conjunction with Technologist.

Collaboration

• Assist NPD buyer to work with a cross brand and category mind set and in partnership with the collaborative brand team to influence and engaged with all relevant stakeholders including executives to get the strategy and development plans approved, space allocated, and launch dates, promotions and GP targets agreed. 
• Assist NPD buyer to develop and inspire the planners, buyers and technologists you work with, to make sure they achieve the Sorbet brand goals as well as supporting the wider brand and business. 
• To provide NPD buyer with status updates on product development projects in order to ensure timeous product launches though coordinating and engaging with key stakeholders.

New product development

• Assist NPD buyer in reviewing market trends identify innovative opportunities and conduct gap analysis, in line with Clicks product principles in order to provide a three year rolling product development plan. 
• To store and label all suppliers NPD, benchmarks and competitors samples to ensure accessibility when needed.
• Assist NPD buyer to source from local and international suppliers, prepare detailed briefs and ensure a fair tender process is followed to deliver innovation and increased profitability in Private label brands.
• Assist NPD buyers in briefing buyers on the products they need to develop for the brand, including the look and feel, GP targets etc. To manage these buyers delivery and approve their products. 
• Assist NPD buyer involved in planning, executing and monitoring product development projects according to the NPD process in line with the critical path to meet the category Private Label objectives and targets.
• Assist NPD Senior buyer in ensuring that Private Label profitability targets are met through effective cost price negotiations and margin management prior to Private Label product launches. 
• Drive vendor listing process by information suppliers of the process and collating required documentation form suppliers to complete the process.
• Assist NPD Buyer with comparative shop on a monthly basis or when required by taking photographs in stores or gathering competitor store pricing and then collating Comp Shop document.
• Assist to drive RAG process, to ensure Technical compliance, by preparing RAG samples with sign off forms and benchmarks in SO rom for Technical to approve.
• Assist NDP buyer in presenting the brand in reviews and media events, to board, management and media.
• Drive customer focus groups to get feedback and insights for new launches.

Job Experience

• Essential: 1-3 years Retail experience

Education

• Essential: Matric
• Essential: Retail Business Management/equivalent