Category Manager Buyer

What you will do:

• Develop implement and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions pricing and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement marketing promotion plans and strategies relevant to the category; adhere to legislation and brand guidelines’; and clearly and effectively communicate with the customer, driving footfall and profitable sales.
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, taking appropriate action where necessary, and sharing best practices with peers and other stakeholders.
• Work with Exclusive Brands to develop and deliver exclusive products/ranges that deliver increased participation and meet agreed strategy and plans.
• Working in partnership with the planning team, agree on a merchandising strategy that drives and delivers the right range in the right store; ensures availability in the store; and controls of slow-moving stock.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs, driving sales and profitability.
• Manage and review pricing, ensuring pricing that is competitive and maximizes profitability. Operate within the Company pricing strategy.
• Working in conjunction with the Planning team to ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, whilst maintaining in-store availability to meet the customer’s needs.
• Develop effective internal working relationships with cross functional team members to support and enhance category objectives and performance
• Develop build and maintain effective external relationships to enhance the Watsons proposition and meet customer needs.
• Adopt appropriate negotiation strategies to attain the best terms for the category and the business. Category expert – utilise and continually develop knowledge in category products, competitors and market activity to deliver increased category performance objectives.
  

Required Skills

Required Skills to be successful

• Strong analytical skills
• Very strong commercial awareness and creative skills.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Decisive and able to work in a super fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Display delegation skills, priorities within delegated tasks and manage deadlines.
• Practice excellent time management skills and ability to cope under pressure
  

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualification and Knowledge:

Education : Must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree/ Professional Degree/ Post Graduate or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Buyer in a retail environment (Health and Beauty)

Preferably someone with experience in Retail.

Behavioral Competencies :

• Uses sound judgment when making decisions
• Act with integrity and respect
• Adapt to changes required by the business
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage promptly and independently also unexpected events and issues
• Ability to identify priorities and organize and plan activities to ensure proper and timely execution
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Able to travel