BUYER: LAMB & PLANT BASED

Job category: Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market related

EE position: No

Introduction

Source and buy product in support of the Lamb and Plant Based Protein Categories and Food Strategies, through effective supplier and profit management to achieve all KPI’s.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead & facilitate & implement the Lamb and Plant Based Protein departmental and supplier strategies.
• Establish a commercially viable product range strategy and manage the implementation thereof.
• Manage open book costing models and promotional funding and Category Equalisation Funds.
• Develop good working relationships with all primary & secondary suppliers and all other key stakeholders.
• Lead optimizing & balancing the lamb carcass through pulling all levers available to ensure efficient use of the entire lamb carcass.
• Build a powerful & exclusive Plant Based Protein range of products that we ensure Woolworths leads as a key destination for this category.
• Review and drive Woolworths' performance data (sales, volume growth, profit, market share, market size etc.) for the Meat Department and make comparisons against competition ito range, price, promotions and product development.
• Identify and prioritise the key commercial strategies and accompanying quantifiable goals and KPI's for the department in line with category operating plan.
• Ensure internal and external colleagues understand and work to deliver the department category plan.
• Review department performance versus Department Scorecards on a regular basis and inform key stakeholders.
• Manage financial accountabilities; margins (including strategic buy-in opportunities in consultation with Planning & Assortment & Merchandising teams), incentives, settlement discounts, departmental charges, sample account, buyer losses, etc.
• Negotiate price, promotional price and new lines, taking into account price tiering / product positioning and financial targets.
• Integrate with Trade Planning & Sales Development teams to draw up and implement Promotional Calendar. Plan and implement promotional strategies and ensure you manage a 100% supplier service level delivery every day.
• Establish category price position while applying an understanding of customer price perception, impacts on KVIs, and of competitor pricing.
• Manage short- and long-term availability per category and per supplier.
• Give input to Category and Supplier strategies and end-to-end sourcing of raw material.
• Develop and implement pricing strategies.
• Give input to the planning and forecasting of products and ranges.
• Build and manage relationships with a diverse range of suppliers.
• Liaise with marketing, sales management and space planning to maximise sales and promotions in stores.
• Liaise with distribution regarding Supply Chain issues.
• Monitor and react to industry and international trends.
• Monitor supplier order fill targeting 100% every day and product static.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years buying experience in the perishable industry.
• Proven experience in managing a Foods/FMCG department.
• Procurement experience within a retail, FMCG environment or meat industry experience – knowledge of store operations, customer profiles, locations & competitors.
• Proven sourcing and supplier management experience.
• Proven ability to provide tactical input and deliver the category operating plan.
• Strong integrator and the ability to work in a matrix structure with proven leadership skills.
• Strong negotiation and financial management skills.
• Proven ability to deliver the following category KPIs (ie. market share, sales growth, margin, ROS, availability).
• Understanding of Supply Chain processes and principles.
• In depth understanding and application of Woolworths' quality standards.
• Technical understanding of the Meat category is advantageous.
• Understanding of factors influencing a product's cost and selling prices.
• Proactive & Innovative with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong customer and retail orientation - sound business and financial acumen.
• Entrepreneurial – ability to initiate and implement innovative and viable business ideas and to accept accountability for the outcome.
• Team player with understanding of diversity.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.