Key Responsibilities

1. Category Management

• Take ownership of assigned categories and shelves by ensuring optimal product assortment and availability.
• Identify missing “hero” products and introduce suitable new products/NPD (New Product Development) to maintain competitiveness.
• Review slow-moving SKUs and implement clearance strategies to reduce product damage and inventory risk.
• Maintain the appropriate number of SKUs/listings to fulfil customer demand while ensuring healthy inventory levels.
• Continuously review category performance, product mix, and market trends to improve sales performance.

Managed Categories:

• Beverage
• Confectionery (Snacks & Candy)
• Dairy & Fresh Categories:
  • Perishable products
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Meat & Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Frozen Food
  • Fresh Milk
  • Chilled Food
  • Ice Cream and other temperature-sensitive products
• Bakery

2. Pricing Strategy & Market Benchmarking

• Conduct regular market price checks to ensure competitiveness while protecting company margins.
• Establish and review RRP (Recommended Retail Price) for products based on market conditions.
• Analyse competitor pricing, promotional strategies, retail trends, and customer behaviour.
• Review product positioning and pricing strategies to maximise sales opportunities.

3. Supplier Management & Negotiation

• Manage relationships with suppliers, distributors, and vendors to ensure strong commercial partnerships.
• Negotiate for improved COGS, trading terms, promotional support, and business opportunities.
• Resolve supplier-related operational issues that may impact business performance.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure alignment with business objectives.

4. Product Master Data & Commercial Documentation

• Maintain Product Master List accuracy, ensuring SKU details, barcodes, costs, and product information are updated.
• Ensure proper documentation and maintenance of:
  • Supplier agreements
  • Rebate tracking
  • Commercial records
  • Product-related documentation

5. Sales Analysis & Reporting

• Conduct weekly and monthly sales performance reviews and identify improvement opportunities.
• Analyse sales performance, category trends, and store best practices.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and develop corrective action plans when required.
• Provide sales countermeasures and recommendations to improve category performance.

6. Stock Availability & Inventory Management

• Work closely with Operations to ensure zero stock-outs for fast-moving products.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain teams to ensure sufficient stock availability at Distribution Centres and accurate allocation to outlets.
• Monitor supplier/vendor Purchase Orders (PO) and direct store fulfilment.
• Track purchase sell-through performance to minimise lost sales opportunities and customer dissatisfaction.

7. Promotion Planning & Execution

• Plan and execute monthly, weekly, and seasonal promotional campaigns, including government-related initiatives where applicable.
• Coordinate promotional activities with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Conduct in-store checks to ensure proper execution of promotional displays and activities.

8. Store Operations Support

• Provide day-to-day operational support to resolve category-related issues.
• Work closely with store teams to improve execution, sales performance, and operational efficiency.

9. New Store Opening & Store Revamp Support

• Support new store openings and refurbishment projects through:
  • Assortment planning
  • Category setup
  • Equipment planning
  • Promotion planning
  • Display planning

10. Store Visits & Merchandising Execution

• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate:
  • Selling floor conditions
  • Backroom conditions
  • Product availability
  • Merchandising execution
• Identify operational challenges and customer demand insights.
• Ensure compliance with merchandising standards and category guidelines.

11. Planogram & Space Planning Collaboration

• Collaborate with Planogram and Space Planning teams to optimise product mix based on sales performance and customer demand.
• Develop and maintain planograms according to different store formats and category requirements.
• Allocate shelf space effectively to maximise sales per square foot.
• Review slow-moving products and recommend actions such as promotions, repositioning, or delisting.

12. Fresh Category Quality & Food Safety Management

• Ensure fresh categories maintain high standards in:
  • Product freshness
  • Cleanliness
  • Quality control
  • Food safety compliance
• Monitor handling procedures for temperature-sensitive and perishable products.

13. Special Projects & Business Improvement Initiatives

• Support special projects aimed at improving category performance, sales growth, customer experience, and business activation.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement initiatives to enhance overall department performance.

Requirements

• Retail buying experience within relevant product categories.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven experience in securing favourable trading terms, supplier income, and promotional support.
• Solid understanding of Profit & Loss (P&L) management and commercial performance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and retail performance reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and retail reporting analysis.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to drive business results.
• Independent, proactive, commercially driven, and willing to go the extra mile to support company growth.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and results-oriented retail environment.
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Possess own transportation and be willing to travel when required.