Head of Buying: American Swiss, Sterns & Galaxy at TFG (The Foschini Group)

• An opportunity has become available in our Jewellery Division, for a Head of Buying. 
• This position requires a high energy, self-motivated individual with proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development.
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage and manage key stakeholders and suppliers. Strong and confident negotiator with the ability to negotiate at all levels.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.

As Head of Buying, your key responsibilities will be:

• Lead the Jewellery buying team to conceptualise and implement the merchandise strategy in line with overall company strategy
• Deliver the defined turnover growth and margins
• Ensure successful execution of product / range strategy in store and online in collaboration with suppliers, store operations, planning, marketing and logistics teams
• Establish and/or develop sustainable supplier relationships
• Manage suppliers to ensure optimal capability and capacity to deliver quality products within agreed timeframes
• Ensure reliable source of supply through sound process and effective supplier relationships
• Negotiate terms with suppliers in line with overall margin, service and quality targets
• Manage and control stock levels based on seasonal forecasts and planning, incl. replenishment product categories
• Ensure that assigned team is effectively resourced, create context for strategy and effectively develop talent pipeline
• Responsible for ongoing management of purchasing strategy and activity and for ensuring optimal supplier performance and price.
• Develop and implement a strategy to ensure the function is operating in line with the objectives of the business to add value, mitigate supply chain risk and deliver cost savings.
• Lead and manage a Team of Buyers to deliver the appropriate support to the business to ensure corporate and business development objectives are met.

To apply you need to be /have:

• Passionate about Jewellery and Design
• Minimum 8 years working experience at a senior management level, incl. people / team management
• Minimum 15 years relevant buying / merchandise experience is essential
• 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
• Demonstrate experience of leading a purchasing function with a proven track record in strategic purchasing leadership delivering effective purchasing strategies
• Ability to work comfortably at both a strategic and operational level
• Ability to drive change, persuade and influence both internal and external stakeholders (often without direct authority)
• Demonstrate a high level of maturity, emotional intelligence and insight into diverse teams and individuals
• 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
• Exceptional leadership skills incl. the ability to attract, hire, retain and motivate assigned team members and talent pool