Head of Buying Clothing at Pick n Pay Stores Limited

Job Description

• Leading a buying team to deliver profitable & sustainable departmental growth. Ensure that a balanced product range meets and exceeds customer expectations within the agreed KPIs.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree |Relevant Diploma, Clothing Management Retail Management.
• Min of 8 Years of Retail Buying experience (Clothing)
• Previous experience in leading a team of buyers and buyer assistants in the Clothing retail space.
• Must be computer literate - Microsoft suite
• SAP knowledge

Understand that this is a 9-month contract role only

Competencies

• A deep understanding of retail and brand ethos
• Demonstrated taste level, flair, and ability to interpret trends
• Able to construct a balanced and profitable range
• Strategic and proactive approach to problem solving
• Strong and effective negotiation skills
• Decision-making skills
• Numerical, analytical, and interpretive ability
• Assertive and able to communicate effectively
• High attention to detail
• Innovation
• Creative flair
• Merchant mindset
• Commercial and financial acumen
• Ability to integrate into a dynamic team culture, while working toward shared goals
• A strong sense of accountability and responsibility

Key Responsibilities

Lead the buying team to:

• conceptualize and implement the strategy in line with overall company strategy
• to deliver the appropriate support to the business to meet corporate and business development objectives.
• Successfully deliver turnover growth and margins
• Product and trend direction, development and sourcing to meet the fashion, price expectations and quality standards of consumers.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers in line with overall margin, service and quality targets
• Ensure a reliable source of supply through sound processes and effective supplier relationships
• Pricing strategy, setting competitive pricing strategies that attract customers while maintaining profitability. The Head of Buying must balance external price pressures with internal cost controls
• Manage and control stock levels based on seasonal forecasts and planning, incl. replenishment product categories.
• Ensure that the assigned team is effectively resourced, and create a context for strategy.  
• Responsible for ongoing management of purchasing strategy and activity and for ensuring optimal supplier performance and price.
• Market analysis and trends, keeping abreast of market trends and consumer behaviours to anticipate demand and adjust buying strategies accordingly.
• Cross-functional collaboration, working closely with the planning team, marketing, store operations to align the buying strategy with broader company goals.