Executive: Buying Adults

Are you a creative thinker with a love for product, a knack for analysing trends and a commitment to driving excellence? We are seeking a dynamic Buying Executive to join our team to lead the execution of our product and purchasing strategy to deliver on the Ackermans strategic intent.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Buying, you will contribute towards the development and implementation of an effective and efficient buying strategy for your portfolio, lead a team of professional Buying Managers, engage with cross-functional teams and key business stakeholders, and deliver a superb value proposition for our customers across more than one thousand stores.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategy Development: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive product portfolio strategy aligned with the company's objectives, ensuring consistency and relevance across the product lifecycle, handwriting and execution.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with internal teams, including Marketing, Merchandising, Retail Operations, and Supply Chain, to ensure alignment and consistency in execution.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish relevant KPIs to measure and monitor product performance in terms of sales, inflows, margins, GP rands and optimising strategies based on data-driven insights.
• Systems and governance: Collaborate with systems to ensure the delivery of technology and systems in support of enabling the buying team to deliver on their objectives.
• Leadership: Effectively lead the buying team for the relevant portfolio.

Job Related Knowledge And Skills Required

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores
• Knowledge of specific company buying strategies
• Understanding of retail business systems and related processes IT
• A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SAs retail clothing market, customers, and competitors.
• An understanding of relevant trends with a flair/eye for product for the relevant target market
• Relevant product knowledge with regards to styling constructions
• An understanding of product components
• Awareness of relevant legal and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and mitigate risks
• Understanding of crisis management principles and practices to anticipate and mitigate potential brand crises, as well as to respond effectively in the event of a crisis to protect the brand's reputation

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organisation
• Strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to changing priorities and market conditions
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and guide the buying team, fostering cross functional collaboration and driving results
• A commercial mindset to develop innovative and impactful product strategies
• Experience in managing budgets effectively, allocating resources to maximise ROI
• Continuously seeking opportunities for innovation and differentiation, to maintain a competitive edge
• Able to travel when required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A relevant degree/qualification in Fashion/Textile Design/Clothing Production/Product Development/Merchandising, or a related field

EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience of 5-10 years in a retail buying management capacity, of which 3-5 years should be at a senior level
• Strong leadership and management skills
• CFE experience essential