Merchandise Buyer - Kitchenware at Yuppiechef

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for a full-time Merchandise Buyer Your key objectives as a Buyer would be to build a balanced assortment of merchandise which appeals to our customer and ensures maximum profit for your department is achieved.

What your role looks like

Reporting into Merchandising Manager, this high-paced role requires your high energy levels and eye for product to develop a product strategy that will ensure your company gains maximum profitability. Determine the product strategy for your department for the season. You will negotiate with suppliers on aspects of price, listing requirements, seasonal paid marketing initiatives, fabrication, and delivery dates. You will also collaborate with other functional areas such as Web team, Marketing, Resourcing and Visual Merchandising and supply chain to enable you to meet your portfolio objectives

Who you’ll be working with

You will be working closely with Buyers Assistants/Listing specialists and Planners. Our merchandise department is made up of 3 departments including Sourcing, Marketing, Visual/Retail Merchandising. You will interact across all 3 with direct focus on the buying of our Kitchenware categories. 

Who you are

You are an experienced Merchandise Buyer with a proven track record in delivering strong sales results. You are dynamic and open to working in a fast-paced unstructured and collaborative environment. You have a love for product, trends and fashion while innovation drives you! You are excited about e-commerce and retail. You are a good communicator (both in-person and asynchronously over email or chat), work well both autonomously and collaboratively, and enjoy honing your technical skills.

People would also describe you as:

• Authentic
• Passionate
• Creative
• Committed
• Disciplined
• Calm and confident
• Conscientious 
• Observant

What experience and skills you need for the role

Experience:

• Relevant degree or diploma (Interior Design, Retail Business Management, Textile, Consumer Science)
• 3-5 years buying experience 
• Knowledge of merchandise systems/ applications
• Textile & fabrication knowledge
• Strong verbal and written communication including negotiation skills
• Intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in MS Office
• Creative inclination
• Able to work well under pressure
• Passionate about homeware 
• Experience with pattern and design (advantageous) 
• Driver’s license (advantageous)  
• All applicants must be fully vaccinated at the time of application or if necessary undertake, to receive a second vaccination in accordance with Company policy, before permanent employment is confirmed.

Environment, gear, pay and benefits

Gear you’ll use:

• A Macbook
• Various online packages, reporting tools and dashboards


Environment:

For the time being — as we navigate the pandemic — our team varies between working remotely and being in the office or a combination of both. You will need your own stable, high-speed internet connection for the days you work from home. And you will need to spend a few days in the office, when appropriate, to learn from your teammates and when safe, in-person collaboration is more suitable. When you are in our HQ offices in Westlake, you’ll find…

• A fully-equipped, communal kitchen where you can use all the tools we sell
• A fully-stocked coffee stations where you can hone your barista skills
• Parking available

Pay and Benefits:

• We pay competitive, market-related salaries based on skills and experience, and profit share based on the company's performance

Your salary is based on a “Total Cost To Company” model and includes:

• Medical Aid (Discovery) contributions
• Group Life Cover
• Retirement Annuity
• Employee Assistance programme
• 17 Days Paid Annual Leave increasing to 20 days with length of service