Buyer

Job description / Role

Reports To: Director of Licensing & Procurement

Overall Objective:
The Buyer is responsible for maintaining optimum stock in all the outlets, forecasting and planning for their category with the guidance of the Director of Licensing and Procurement

- Forecast international purchases to meet sales target and maintain consistency
- Day to day replenishment based on sales
- Maintain stocks of top sellers in stores all time
- Maintain safe buffer stock to replenish during festive season
- Make sure the price of the product is right before hitting the stores
- Make sure the planograms are maintained for all range
- Be updated with the market trends on top sellers
- Makes sure widest range of product available for online

Responsibilities:
- The Buyer is responsible for the overall performance of their category in terms of cash margin, stock holding, aged stock, slow sellers, top seller stock position.
- They are responsible for forecasting and planning all the international purchases in agreement with the sales budget.
- Being proactive in ordering stock for seasons well in advance.
- Analysing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends
- Regularly reviewing performance indicators, e.g. sales and discount levels
- Managing plans for stock levels
- Meeting suppliers and negotiating terms of contract
- Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products
- Liaising with other departments within the organisation to ensure projects are completed
- Attending trade fairs, in the region and overseas, to select and assemble a new collection of products. Also visiting regional stores.
- Writing reports and forecasting sales levels
- Presenting new ranges to senior retail managers
- Liaising with shop personnel to ensure product/collection supply meets demand

Primary Objectives:
- Improve category performance by introducing items as per market trend
- Replenish stocks to all stores based on sales on a daily basis
- Order stock for regions while considering lead times and stock turn around
- Ensure the prices of all items are maintained as per the agreed margin

Buyer Requirements:
- Broad knowledge and experience in Buying for a Retail chain
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to develop a category
- Demonstrated ability to serve as a successful team player
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with the Director and the Management
- Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must include Excel and skills in database management and record keeping.

Requirements

- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business Administration
- Five plus years of experience in buying

Conclusion:
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Buyers position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

About the Company

RM Retail is the Support Centre for our two current Brands The Toy Store & Hallmark. The company has evolved from a number of entities across the GCC region to become the central hub of operations to support its entire store network.

RM stands for Recon (Reconnaissance) Management which underpins our methodological approach across all business functions. The business has managed to keep its entrepreneurial culture, along with striving for best practices across all its processes and controls.

RM Retail is now supporting The Toy Store through its International expansion, which is being delivered through direct market entry and the franchising model.