Open Positions at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Key Responsibilities:

• Sourcing new fabrications.
• Purchasing and allocating of fabric (local and import)
• Ensuring fabric purchased on time according to retail requirements.
• Issuing and following up on purchase orders
• Follow up on all administrative functions pertaining to the procurement process
• Have up to date knowledge on the latest fabric developments and trends
• Establish and maintain key relationships with fabric agents and mills
• Negotiate best prices and delivery dates with suppliers
• Manage stock fabric utilisation in line with stock targets
• Compiling and maintaining up to date stock books

Qualifications and Experience:

• A relevant tertiary qualification (preferably Design/Clothing Production/Fabric technology) and /or
• A minimum of 3 – 5 years’ experience in a similar role and similar environment

Skills:

• Extensive fabric knowledge
• Knowledge of a PLM system would be advantageous
• Knowledge of garment construction

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Key Responsibilities:

Meet store acquisition targets for subscriptions across TFG stores

• Agree targets with VAS Ops and business across all available sales mechanisms (Point of Sale and digital platforms) within TFG stores
• Communicate targets to media product managers for budget purposes and to VAS Ops for Profit Allocation alignment
• Achieve store acquisition budget targets as set out in July reprojections 

Negotiate, plan and execute acquisition campaigns with trading companies

• Drive target and actual subscription growth in stores channel 
• Negotiate and execute staff and customer facing acquisition campaigns across TFG trading companies 
• Ensuring relevant campaign marketing collateral is designed and distributed timeously in conjunction with VAS marketing 
• Use of magazine “Exclusive Offers” and brand editorial coverage (e.g. magazine covers and features) in customer facing campaigns 
• Negotiate space in stores for promotional material (short-term campaigns and permanent marketing presence). 
• Business ownership of all media store campaigns (incl. Jet Club) and incentives across TFG
• Launch and drive subscriptions of Jet Club and digital magazines on the digital platform, DAS (launch date Nov.7, 2024) 
• Drive prioritisation of launch of digital magazines at POS (CR lodged)
• Strategize and deliver joint campaigns across the VAS portfolio with TFG Insure, TFG Connect and Hi
• Attend weekly and monthly store channel and VAS meetings as media stores representative
• Drive internal and external partner forums and meetings for channel and profit growth 

Channel reporting

• Weekly reporting of channel target vs. actual at Media Exco
• Understanding and inclusion of trading co. profit allocation performance on media related targets
• Presentations to trading company marketing forums, head of ops forums, (and trading company Exco’s where required)

Training

• Ensure staff and customer facing training and marketing material is provided (e.g. customer facing product information pamphlets)
• All staff training material updated on all platforms in conjunction with change management and training departments 
• Identify and recommend training requirements during store visits 
• Includes external agents (Metrosure, Edge, Tyme) where required

Store and internal mailing list responsibility (printed and digital magazines)

• Assess and advise on magazine distribution to stores (volume and magazine title to relevant stores monthly). Example:  Man magazine x 5,000 to Markham; Club magazine x 7,000 across all stores etc. Includes distribution of digital magazine links to all relevant parties.

Training

• Ensure staff and customer facing training and marketing material is provided (e.g. customer facing product information pamphlets)
• All staff training material updated on all platforms in conjunction with change management and training departments 
• Identify and recommend training requirements during store visits 
• Includes external agents (Metrosure, Edge, Tyme) where required

Stakeholder Management

• Builds and maintains strong strategic and goal-driven relationships with senior key role players across TFG 
• Maintains relationships with internal (TFG marketing, VAS Ops, TFG Insure, TFG Connect, and Hi) and external stakeholders & suppliers (Channel partners e.g. Dentsu Creative, Metrosure, Edge)
• Understanding of role of Dentsu Creative in magazine production and sales 
• Strong relationships with media product owners (brand and publishing managers)

Contracts

• Represent media in relevant contract negotiations and sign off 

Incentive management (with VAS Ops) 

• Agree (with business and Ops) incentive payouts for respective products and internal and external sales agents 
• Oversee “red flag” fraud process where multiple media products are sold to one customer
• One assistant reporting into this role (current secondment) on incentive float management and customer services in relation to multiple sales
• Management of clawback process / awareness of cancellation trends

Qualifications and Experience:

• Marketing, project management or other related qualification degree /diploma 
• Min 5 years retail operations and or/ marketing experience 

Skills: 

• Excellent organisational and coordinating skills 
• Ability to influence and persuade at executive levels
• Excellent presentation skills 
• High proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint 
• High attention to detail 
• High energy and enthusiasm levels
• Ability to work under pressure in a deadline driven environment 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team

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Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the buying team to conceptualise and implement the merchandise strategy in line with overall company strategy
• Deliver the defined turnover growth and margins
• Product and trend direction, development and sourcing to meet the fashion, price expectation and quality standards of consumers. This involves finding suppliers who can provide high-volume, technical items without compromising on quality.
• Branded partner strategy - managing the relationship with branded partners and ensuring a win-win outcome in all dealings. Balancing range, offer and margin across various brands.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers in line with overall margin, service and quality targets
• Ensure reliable source of supply through sound process and effective supplier relationships
• Pricing strategy, setting competitive pricing strategies that attract customers while maintaining profitability. The Head of Buying must balance external price pressures with internal cost controls
• 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.
• Market analysis and trends, keeping abreast of market trends and consumer behaviours to anticipate demand and adjust buying strategies accordingly. This includes understanding the dynamics of the sport retail market and seasonal fluctuations
• Cross-functional collaboration, working closely with merchandise planning, marketing, store operations, and finance teams to align the buying strategy with broader company goals. This collaboration helps in crafting promotions and in-store presentations that maximize sales.
• Lead and manage a Team of Buyers to deliver the appropriate support to the business to meet corporate and business development objectives.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Post Graduate Degree - 10+ relevant years
• 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

Skills: 

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, generate insights, and make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team, fostering a positive work environment and driving results. 
• Strategic mindset with a focus on long-term growth and sustainability
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment.

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Responsibilities:  

• Provide feedback to management regarding stock issues and movements 
• Drive the ultimate customer experience 
• Ensure sales targets are met 
• Managing the receiving and dispatching of stock 
• Processing stock within specified time frames 
• Facilitating efficient rotation of stock, from the stockroom to the sales floor 
• Ensuring the neatness and Housekeeping standards are world class 
• Manage Shrinkage in line with company standards 

Qualifications:

• A Grade 12 qualification or equivalent 
• Retail experience (essential) 
• 2 years Stockroom experience (Advantageous) 
• Hospitability background (Advantageous) 

Skills: 

• A customer-centric attitude and approach 
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) 
• Ability to give direction to stockroom team 
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business and will require weekends and evening shifts