Buyer

GLOBAL PRODUCT SOLUTIONS

Established in 2007, it is a well-known national marketing and distribution company for baby & toy products in Malaysia. We manage various international brands like Tommee Tippee, Snapkis, Mimosa, Loveamme, Clevamama, 59s, Richell, Bumbo, Jack N Jill, Giggles, Elipsekids and others.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Report to: Head of Distribution

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for planning, managing, selecting, and purchasing goods and merchandise that are sold in trade customers’ stores. The role is responsible for maintaining a set stock holding quantity/value, using data to analyse the productivity of each SKU, its life cycle, new product assortment, competitor analysis, etc.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Responsibilities

• Visiting Stores (Mothercare, trade customers’ stores, new channels and Competitors) regularly to proactively understand assortments, pricing, store presentation, competitors, retail landscape
• Consistent & frequent updates of online trends & movements, to be at the forefront of all consumer activities, browsing & purchase behaviour, related products/brands, opportunities, etc.
• Work with Marketing, Sales, and VM to ensure alignment of all buying & merchandising strategies across all brands, categories

Category Planning

• Set an annual budget for each brand, by category, SKU, key accounts, channels, etc.
• Deliver budgeted sales and margin targets at the class level
• Determines merchandise & brand gaps within each category, sourcing products to fill in gaps and opportunities in the market

Analytics

• Driving the GROW, MAINTAIN and DOWNTREND category designations to create bottom-up plans to meet total area financial targets by brand, SKU

Pricing

• Determiningpricing strategy for category/ product that maintains & is in line with market pricing integrity & movements whilst driving sales for trade customers
• The buyer is the primary owner of making sure that all brands and their SKUs are competitively priced in Mothercare’s stores, trade partners, and are in line with the market and competitors
• Ensure retail price changes and promotional prices are communicated and implemented in a timely manner for maximum returns

Promotion Planning & Markdowns

• Planning seasonal promotional plans to optimize profit and sales
• Maintaining inventory needs to support sales, brand & promotional strategies, reduce aging & dead stocks, and ensure best sellers are never OOS
• Margin management at the RRP pricing level, and also trade margins achieve budget Gross Profit and Gross Margin
• Execution and implementation of promotion in-store and with all trade partners in a timely and effective manner
• Work with Marketing to optimise opportunities to appeal & attract the trade customer as well as the end consumer
• Determine markdown strategies that ties to the planned budget
• Negotiating with the principal for markdown support or returns

Stock

• Monitors stock level and maintains a healthy inventory at all times
• Clearance and management of aging and discontinued stock
• Management of slow-moving products and excess stock lines
• Constant analyses of stock situations to ensure immediate rectification of overstock or understock situations
• Allocation and replenishment of stock
• Manage defective stocks, communicate to principal and obtain compensation

Market

• Full understanding of market positioning and competitor activity in all related categories, and market trends
• Updated with all market pricing movements of competitors, new products or brands, and movement of brands (entry & exit)

Vendor / Principal

• Attending principal brand or trade conferences as necessary and present all conference information to the team
• Liaise with the principal on merchandise range, training guides, product information details, retail and cost price fluctuations, overstock and understock issues, challenges and support required, opportunities and potential new product development within the brand
• Propose new brands or categories to fill in any gaps or opportunities in the total brand portfolio
• Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products/ brands, providing feedback and comments for new product development opportunities
• Attending trade fairs to propose new product range or potential brand
• Develop promotional plans with key vendors

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a buying role.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to foster and maintain supplier relationships.
• Proficient in market research and understanding of consumer demands.
• Excellent analytical and forecasting skills.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and budget allocation.
• Familiarity with supply chain and inventory management systems.