Senior Buyer - Cape Town at Ares Holdings

Job Summary

The Senior buyer is in charge of choosing products that will be sold in South Africa. With a given budget, the buyer is tasked with picking products for the store based on the demand and the trends in the industry. The buyer is also required to pick the range shown by end use for all wholesale accounts.

Key Responsibilities

Buying Strategy

• Attend Under Armour seasonal sales meetings and other relevant travel requirements. Select from the pre-existing US range, making intuitive selections that suit the SA customer, so optimums are achieved alongside other developing.
• Become and remain the SA Under Armour apparel and footwear subject matter expert in terms of product features, specifications, and categorisation.
• Establish shipment plan and identify consolidation opportunities for cost reduction based on OOR reconciliation.
• Understand the current wholesale and retail strategy and make recommendations in developing product strategies and range building in line with the business vision.
• Maintain strong awareness of the commercial potential of product in the sporting market from a price point of view and assist in developing appropriate pricing structures.
• Assist Planner in identifying sales patterns for future seasons and place forecasts and orders for the SA market.

Operational Partnerships

• Manage the delivery of samples to Head Office as necessary maintaining responsibility for this inventory until signed over to the relevant merchant.
• Work with marketing, sales, and Planner to set up promotions to drive underperformers to clear stock.
• Conduct sell-ins promoting new, fresh product to Retail and Wholesale clients.
• With the sales and marketing functions, manage the full GTM sales process from planning, co-ordinating and developing sales tools that directly support the sell-in process for both existing and new accounts (catalogues, pricelist lists, order forms, delivery dates, showroom prep, catering, trade marketing support)
• Review previous season merchandise with Planner to identify possible reasons for success or non-performance and note for future reference.
• Ensure optimal samples are selected that are applicable to the South African market.
• Ensure that buy-plans are well detailed and clearly understood by team members and relevant stakeholders.
• Meet range development deadlines in order to ensure supplier deadlines are met.
• Manage Stock levels in line with orders!
• Assist Retail Ops team in the opening of new Brand House stores with specific focus on stock planning.
• Ensure along with Visual Merchandiser and Retail manager that product is displayed in all stores according to UA Standards.
• Ensure accurate requested ship dates to ease cash flow pressures.

 Reporting and Analytics

• Develop and continually evaluate all reports in order to monitor stock arrival in SA, sales, history, seasonal sales analysis, aged inventory etc.
• Report on inventory tracker and forecasting report
• Feedback market trend information to the Apollo team and suggest best merchandising practice to maximise turnover.
• Assist in the mapping and architecture of the IT system for order management, logistical support, buying, point of sale, order tracking and Bl tools etc.
• Develop and continually evaluate all reports in order to establish sales history, seasonal sales analysis, aged inventory & liquidation plans etc.
• Review relevant historical information and make recommendations to management and Wholesale customers for product segmentation in stores.
• Build and manage a consumption tool to react early to plan across channels.

Lead

• Lead and manage the team responsible for Planning.
• Keep job knowledge up to date through professional publications and personal networks etc. and share with team.
• Manage recruiting, on boarding, mentoring and succession within the department.
• Ensure planning governance and compliance in the business.

Requirements:

• Relevant Degree (Bcom) or related Diploma in Retail Management/Planning/Supply Chain/Merchandise Management
• 3 - 5 years’ experience in a similar role
• 3-5 years’ Management experience
• Knowledge of an ERP system

Critical Competencies:

• Strategic agility and able to articulate the vision and purpose.
• Ability and experience in managing a dynamic, diverse, and decentralised team.
• Advanced Excel skills
• Highly numerate, analytical, and detailed orientated