Category Buyer

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy and Business Planning

• Work closely with Commercial Director and Category Directors to build long-term import strategy through category reviews.
• Improve end-to-end margin (after clearance) by increasing direct import penetration in strategic categories

Sourcing and business development

• Establish and build network between Cold Storage & Giant and existing / new overseas suppliers and consolidators.
• Prospecting and sourcing of new overseas products and suppliers.
• Identify latest FMCG product trends in local and overseas markets.
• Comply with local legislation, rules and regulation on importation of FMCG goods.
• Propose and attend overseas trade fairs (e.g. Thaifex, Anuga, Sial Paris)

Vendor and assortment management

• Ensure timely setting up of vendor accounts for all new overseas suppliers.
• Managing suppliers with regards to product range, labeling, pricing and distribution to stores.
• Ensure timely receipt of festive catalogs, product images and samples for evaluation and ordering.

Inventory management, order management and data analysis

• Working closely with supply planning team on replenishment and promotional buys to ensure consistent stock availability.
• Monitor and manage stock levels in warehouse and allocation plan for import products.
• Generate monthly reports on service level, purchases, sales and margin performance.

Pricing, promotion and festive management

• Managing promotion activities such as digital ads, mailers, key in-store fairs and events
• Ensure timely execution of in-store fairs in terms of range selection, stock availability, promotion mechanics and execution, sampling and allocation to stores.
• Prepare postmortem reports for key festive periods such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
• Prepare postmortem reports for in-store fairs such as Australia Fair, Taiwan Fair, etc.
• Ensure monthly competitor checks are made on competitor range & pricing.

Stakeholder and team-management

• Build effective relationships between key stakeholders including commercial supply planning, food safety and external suppliers.
• Ensure appropriate team job satisfaction and performance levels through effective development, creation and implementation of action plans, systems and standards.
• Contribute to the building of a high performance team by living the DFI values.
• Develop and nurture team members.

About You

• Minimum 5 years of experience in FMCG, overseas sourcing and product management
• Degree in Business, Retail Management or relevant discipline
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic planning
• Good organizational, communication and strong stakeholder management skills