Job Description – Junior Buyer

Position          : Junior Buyer

Department    : Merchandise

Band                : C

Location          : Cape Town

Reporting to   : Specialist Buyer

Contract Type : Permanent

Your role at ARC:
The Junior Buyer will assist the buying team and be responsible for managing certain product portfolios. You will provide support in maintaining balanced assortments to meet or exceed sales targets, contribute to stock turn efficiency, and assist with achieving financial and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Performance Focus:
  • Assist in analysing sales, stock, and gross profit reports for assigned portfolios.
  • Collaborate with the Specialist Buyer on purchasing decisions to meet profit goals.
  • Monitor stock levels and take action to optimize stock turn and inventory.
  • Using available systems, extract and analyze historical sales data so that previous successes are identified and communicated to the Specialist buyer; and possible recommendations are made for incorporation into forthcoming buying plans.

• Product Portfolio and Assortment:
  • Manage SKU item status and ensure accurate store gridding by brand & SKU
  • Manage product portfolios within assigned categories, ensuring balanced assortments in line with company strategy.
  • Assist in analysing sales data to ensure SKU profitability and market relevance.
  • Conduct comparative shopping in order to provide the Specialist Buyer with information to be used in compiling the assortment and pricing strategy for buying plans.
  • Provide support to the buyer on the development and implementation of action plans to align future with current/emerging trends (i.e. repeating good sellers, action plans for slow sellers).

• Supplier Relationship Management:
  • Follow-up on promotional merchandise and products, as well as deliveries of products and samples with suppliers.
  • Monitor supplier performance through regular evaluations of quality and commitment to deliver within stipulated frameworks.
  • Communicate with suppliers to exchange information and create awareness of current / forthcoming brands/ranges.

• Market Intelligence:
  • Regularly research and analyse relevant data to identify current and emerging trends/new brands. Liaise with relevant parties to determine if current and future plans incorporate current or changing trends.
  • Monitor future plans against ongoing research results to maintain alignment with existing/emerging trends.
  • Provide feedback to relevant parties to inform them of research results, make recommendations for actions to be taken and to inform them of actions initiated to align future plans with current/emerging trends.
  • Monitor competitor activities and provide detailed feedback on competitor analysis to buyer.
  • Provide recommendations on possible actions resulting from competitor analysis (e.g. identify introduction of new brands.

• Process Improvement:
  • Assist in streamlining purchasing processes to improve efficiency.
  • Contribute to the development of performance tracking systems and tools.
  • Ensure accuracy in product data processing
  • Understand, support and apply all relevant merchandise processes and procedures including weekly and monthly analysis meetings.

• Reporting
  • Maintain accurate and complete updates/feedback reports as required.
  • Complete trends analysis and competitor research/insights.
  • Assist Specialist Buyer with monthly reporting.

• People Management and Leadership
  • Manage own personal development through your PDP (Personal Development Plan). Request training and feedback on performance and strive to improve based on these interventions.
  • Adhere to the company's values.
  • Take personal responsibility for all issues facing the department, work as a team and mentor/coach new employees as required.
  • Communicate with your line manager regularly and make recommendations on improving efficiencies in the department.

Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Planning and Organizing
• Problem Solving
• Negotiation Skills
• Commercial thinking
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Relationships and networking
• Solution-focused
• Coping with pressure and setbacks

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Commerce Degree or related qualification
• 1-3 years of experience in a buying or procurement role
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills
• Experience in the cosmetics or retail environment is a plus
• Must have a passion for beauty and retail