Head of Furniture or IT Buying

**The essential responsibilities of the Head of Merchandise Buying include**:

- Leads the Furniture or IT merchandising team and fully support the retail sales teams to ensure maximum sales and profitability of furniture merchandise and services for the company.
- Ensures implementation and discipline of range planning in order to ensure profitability.
- Manages the forecast and executes sound supply chain practices.
- Specifies visual merchandising policies and strategies for maximum product performance and profitability.
- Manages stock and catalog commitment in line with agreed promotional activities and peak sales opportunities. Manages catalog planning at all times ensuring catalogs meet customer profiles and reflect the correct range of product mix to fully maximize market opportunities.
- Negotiates terms of trading margin and advertising support and manages the supplier base relationship and aspects of terms.
- Sets clear and best price structures, contemplating and reacting to current market conditions. Manages price changes to ensure effective control of stock.
- Supports marketing initiatives and participates actively in providing market insights and ideas to improve the furniture category through these initiatives
- Ensures objectives for the Furniture or IT category are clearly understood and embraced by all parts of the business.
- Analyses and presents performance and results of past buying strategies and makes tactical adjustments to leverage opportunities for increased profitability.
- Sources the latest design and develops key merchandise themes, including product development reflecting the wants and needs of our target customer group.
- Maintains ethics in business policy in regard to all suppliers and conducts oneself in a professional business-like manner with colleagues and external parties alike.
- Develop Merchandisers and help them develop the competencies necessary to develop and execute category buying strategies.
- Supports Internal Audit for compliance and development of risk management in your division.

**The ideal incumbent should possess the following**:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Management
- At least 8 to 10 years of experience in a similar category management role
- Proven ability to increase sales and profitability; turnaround
- Demonstrates sharp business acumen and sound business judgment
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast pace working environment
- Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills
- Possess strong team spirit and excellent communication at all levels
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to motivate and lead management staff
- High level of business ethics and integrity
- Creative and innovative mindset

**Job Type**: Contract
Contract length: 12 months

**Salary**: $5,000.00 - $8,000.00 per month

**Benefits**:

- Cell phone reimbursement
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health insurance
- Parental leave
- Professional development
- Promotion to permanent employee

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

- Performance bonus

Work Location: In person