Junior Sourcer at Mr Price Group

Purpose

We are looking for a dynamic go-getter to chase Low Cost Pricing across the world through desk top sourcing/factory visits and at source . This person is going to assist in flying the price/ value flag and increasing the opening price point contributions their purpose is to delight the customer with well-priced product lines to take on the low LSM competitors. Ideal candidate should be driven, adaptable and agile.

To ensure the provision of world- class sourcing of merchandise and suppliers to support the merchandise strategy and eliminate unnecessary cost thereby delivering best value to delight our customers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Key responsibilities

Analysis:

• Monitor and analyse key metrics across the sourcing value chain in order to measure supplier performance and highlight potential risks to the business 

Strategy:

• Participate in developing  and implementing  a short and long term Resource strategy to support the business strategy and merchandise direction. Achieve Company % contribution of opportunistic stocks.

Critical Path Management:

• Oversee the critical path management up to handover to forwarder date  in order to ensure on time delivery of merchandise and correct product execution. Work closely with the merch team on finding proactive solutions to mitigate any delivery delay impact on the business. Partner with respective merchants in reacting to the trading environment in order to maximise sales  

Supplier Management:

• Build strategic supplier relationships and identify new partnerships for long term sustainability. Research and provide new vendor solutions in line with business requirements in order to contribute to the Company's profitability.  Research new supplier territories in order to ensure that we are sourcing competitively. Assist and guide new vendors in understanding of our requirements, policies and procedures     

Procurement:

• Drive low-cost sourcing against strategic KPI's for the division, both factory visits/ desk top sourcing as well as Trade shows.  Re-engineer product for lower costs where necessary while still maintaining required standards. Focus on opportunistic stock parcels to drive value.  Negotiate preferred payment terms with suppliers.

Critical Path Management:

• Oversee the critical path management up to handover to forwarder date in order to ensure on time delivery of merchandise and correct product execution. Work closely with the merch team on finding proactive solutions to mitigate any delivery delay impact on the business. Partner with respective merchants in reacting to the trading environment in order to maximise sales.

Research:

• Identify key value price points in the market, low cost source through new county of origin to maximise value positioning in the market through both Stock purchases as well as Fresh production opportunities                                                               

Requirements

Education:

• Any relevant degree or diploma     

Experience:

• 1 years - 2years Retail Buying Experience    

Specific knowledge:

• Negotiation skills
• Presentation skills
• Relationship management
• Effective Communication
• Cultural sensitivity awareness;
• Product construction
• Fabric and Material understanding
• Manufacturing and Production processes
• Costing
• Raw material pricing
• Exchange rate awareness
• Global sourcing trends
• Shipping and importing processes
• Production and shipping lead-time knowledge by country and product type
• Analytical thinking                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Business understanding:

• Commercial acumen