Buyer

Job description / Role

- Develop the Range Plan for specific departments of responsibility.
- Create and develop a range of products that meet the demands of the Range Plan and business strategy.
- To work in conjunction with the Buying and Merchandising Manager to select a Range of products in line with the Range Plan and Fantasy World trading strategy .
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, retail operations, product development and customer service.
- Support the Buying & Merchandising Manager and Trading team in driving sales and controlling costs to ensure department/ store profit targets are met.
- Attend trade fairs and suppliers worldwide to source the very best products available in the Toy industry
- Identify trends and gain market knowledge (customer and competitor) of the Toy market.
- Present new ranges at selection meeting for Range Sign off by business Directors.
- Drive cross-functional planning and initiatives to meet or exceed forecast budget targets.
- Evaluate Cost and selling prices, shipping & handling charges and make any necessary recommendations and changes. Update and resolve any shipment issues. Ensure promotional pricing is done within budgeted guidelines.
- Work collectively with Merchandising to ensure estimates and trends are accurate and within department and company budget targets. Agree seasonal stock targets.
- Ensure suppliers purchase orders are placed/sent in a timely and professional manner. Products should then be created accurately in the ERP system.
- Work collaboratively with Marketing, PR & Social media to create promotions that generate category revenue from key customer segments.
- Issue pallet roster/spiff/new low price/exclusive product lists to relevant departments.
- Create a website plan and product offer to ensure department visibility in all customer facing routes to market.
- Attends weekly floor walks in retail stores and makes proposals for improvements.
- Work collectively with Wholesale divisions to evaluate trends and product requirements.
- Working with Visual Merchandising to feature brands, promotions, events and new product launches.
- Ensure all products are accurately set up in ERP system.
- Issue new product sheets and conduct product training in retail stores.
- Participate in Weekly Trading, quarterly Business Review and Category Assessment meetings.
- Manage day to day activities of Buying & merchandising Assistant.
- Conduct appraisals for Buying & Merchandising assistant and ensure continuous training.
- Confer with legal staff to resolve problems, such as copyright infringement or royalty sharing with outside producers or distributors.
- Maintain a strategic professional working relationship with team and all key departments.

Requirements

- Bachelors degree in Business , marketing or Finance or any related field
- Min 1-3 years experience in retail merchandising/category management
- Strong problem-solving, communication and analytical skills
- Strong ability to understand competitive dynamics and to position a category for growth
- Medium proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet Explorer
- High level of verbal and written communication skills (English essential).Candidates must be located in Kuwait.

About the Company

Fantasy World welcomed its first customers on the 28th day of April in 1996. Importing some of the finest toys from Europe, the United States and The Far East and retailing them at an 11,000sqft free standing building resembling a castle at the Al Rai business district in Kuwait. The store was designed in the US and was the region’s first up scale toy store concept.

Organised according to categories of toys such as Radio Control, Arts & Crafts, Educational etc. and covering an age range from infants to twelve-year-olds. All our toys meet American and European safety standards. From humble beginnings the Fantasy World brand grew to become a leader of branded and speciality toys in the country. The brand currently trades from four stores of varied sizes and is recognised as the store of first choice offering the widest range of toys everyday of the year.