Global Buying Manager

Job description / Role

Our client is a leading travel retail company. They are currently looking to recruit a Global Buying Manager to be based in Muscat

Duties & Responsibilities
• Developing and delivery of the strategy for the category.
• Supporting & delivery of the Category budget.
• Sets out JBPs with vendors for the Category
• Ensures continuous positive growth of working relationships with brands.
• Sets the Product Retail selling price aligned to company price policy.
• Supports the Global head of Category in annual Trade terms negotiations and all TnC’s that effect margin.
• Identifies new vendor and agreeing commercial terms.
• Builds and agrees category annual promotional/activity plans.
• Sets annual supplier budgets.
• Define the range and assortment and space allocation for the Category.
• Manages all markdown and clearance plans.
• Sets detailed KPIs on margin compliance, markdowns, stock turn, aged stock management and sell through
• Maintains an accurate knowledge bank of refits, capex inputs, margin and any other pertinent information for each brand in the category per region and globally.
• Plans and refits and store layouts and adjacencies
• Manages the weekly activities of buyers and leads the performance management and delivery of business objectives
• Completes daily and weekly category analysis, monitors stock forecasting and on shelf availability and addresses issues immediately (weeks cover, sell through, markdowns)
• Supports business development and Head of Category with pertinent KPIs and brand and regional insights for new bids.

Requirements

• Supports Head of Category in delivery of winning bids business case. Minimum 3 years’ experience in Retail Purchasing and/or Merchandising management.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and communication skills.
• Proven Track record for developing world class category offers.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent understanding of category management and retail systems
• An in-depth knowledge of the key industry players within their category is essential. They will work closely with their buyers and brands to develop a well curated assortment strategy that will enhance their relationship with the local customer while delivering exceptional sales and profit objectives. They will work with the local teams to take into account the local nuances of the market and customer preferences.
• The ability to employ a collaborative partnership approach with vendors to build brand equity, drive revenues and deliver profit.
• The ability to lead a team of buyers at a local level and proactively identify team members for succession and company talent plans.
• The individual will have the confidence and industry knowledge to develop and deploy a competitive benchmarking process for the buying team, including store visits, cross channel assortments, promotion and pricing analysis. Build outcomes into future season lines plans and seasonal strategies. Present proposals in a timely manner for sign off by the Global head of category.

About the Company

Propel Consult delivers a service in step with the needs of both our client companies and candidates. Our ability to add value to all levels of recruitment stems from our wholehearted belief in providing a professional service to both parties. We have built relationships with many leading indigenous and mulitnational organisations throughout the Middle East and internationally in countries such as UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and many more. Concentrating our resources has created 5 distinct specialist divisions:

• Banking & Finance
• Human Resources
• Oil & Gas
• Construction
• Architecture & Engineering