Buyer

Department: Buying Department

• Reports to: Head of Merchandising/Buyer

• Liaises with: Warehouse, Finance, HR, Operations, IT, Marketing, Stores, E-Commerce

• Purpose:

To support the Head of Merchandising in developing and delivering the most appropriate and comprehensive product range for each category that maximises profitability through buying efficiencies, pricing and sales strategies.

• ROLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Merchandising Support

Provides category reports

• Visits stores (both Mothercare and competition) regularly to proactively understand assortments, pricing and store presentation

Assists stores with product and customer enquiries

• Category Planning

Plans buy based on set annual category budgets

• Delivers budgeted sales and margin targets at class level

Determines merchandise gaps within each category and sources products to fill the gaps

• Space Planning

Works with the Operations team to develop category planograms/option counts

• Conducts store-level analysis to maximise the space and drive sales through optimum store ranging

Interacts with store managers/supervisors to discuss best sellers and merchandise placement

• Pricing

Conducts competitive price checks and ensures Mothercare is competitively priced

• Ensures Mothercare prices are aligned with the local distributor prices

Ensures retail price changes are communicated and implemented in a timely manner

• Promotion Planning & Markdowns

Recommends an annual or seasonal promotional plan to optimise profit and sales

• Maintains inventory needs to support promotional strategy

Ensures margin management of all activity to hit budget

• Executes and implements promotion in-store in a timely and effective manner

Develops promotional plans with key vendors

• Stock

Monitors stock level and keeps healthy inventory.

• Clearance and management of ageing and discontinued stock

Management of slow moving product and excess stock lines

• Constant analysis of stock situations to ensure immediate rectification of overstock or understock situations

• Market

Full understanding of market positioning and competitor activity through constant market research and feedback from customers and staffs

• Analyses consumer buying patterns and predicts future trends.

• Vendor

Attends Mothercare Franchise meetings as necessary

• Liaises with UK on merchandise ranges, retail and cost price fluctuations, overstock and understock issues.

Meets local suppliers to fill in merchandise gaps within the UK range and negotiates best possible cost prices to maximise margin

• Maintains relationships with existing suppliers and sources new suppliers for future products/brands.

Ensures consistent replenishment and prompts delivery of suppliers

• Attends trade fairs to propose new product selection

• KEY DECISIONS & PROBLEM-SOLVING

Product selection planning for each season

• Analyses per department, per store performance to be able to buy accordingly

Home and travel product range and planograms for each store / Clothing Option plans for each store for each season

• Analyses stock turnover and decides on promotions whenever necessary

• COMPETENCIES

• Behavioural

Resonates with core company values of Nurture, Honour, and Unite with Integrity.

• Demonstrates initiative, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and communication skills

Demonstrates creativity, integrity, passion, and self-motivation

• Ability to make decisions, meet targets, work under pressure, and manage workload with little direction

Has a business-like approach, uses tact and diplomacy when negotiating

• Absorbs and assesses information quickly

Enjoys dealing with people, whether by phone or in person

• Team-player

• Functional

Knowledge of key business drivers (e.g. pricing, promotion, assortment, margins)

• Knowledge of financial retail calculationsOTB, markdowns, margins

Negotiation skills

• Well-versed in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel. Good worksheets skills to generate structured reports

• Qualifications & Experience

Bachelors degree in the related field.

• Minimum of 1 year experience in a buying role.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From RM4,

• 00 per month
  
  Benefits:
• Cell phone reimbursement

Free parking

• Health insurance

Maternity leave

• Parental leave

Professional development
Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia

Which of the following Microsoft Office products are you experienced with

• What's your expected monthly basic salary

How much notice are you required to give your current employer

Experience:

• Buyer: 2 years (Required)

Retail sales: 2 years (Required)

Willingness to travel:

50% (Preferred)