Buyers, also known as purchasing agents, are analyzers, negotiators and deal-makers. They research, evaluate and buy products for companies to either resell to customers or use in their everyday operations.
Key Accountabilities and process:
? Determine buying requirements and formulate buying plan and budget for the assigned department/category
? Align the buying plan to the overall department/category business plan and the merchandize strategy as laid down by the department/ category manager
Help meet the profit targets by ensuring timely procurement of the department/category Merchandise
? Pursue cost reduction measures through centralized bulk buying and/ or selecting appropriate vendor mix, scanning the environment for benchmarks and constantly improving the purchase process
? Develop an adequate vendor base for the concept through active scouting and negotiation / renegotiation
? Build and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers and negotiate the best deals with them for procuring merchandise
? Maintain contact with vendors; update list of vendors for bidding purposes; attend product demonstrations, obtain samples and literature regarding potential products and vendor capabilities and confer with end users
? Identify, evaluate and select appropriate vendor mix to achieve business objectives
? Place orders based on the buying plan and ensure merchandise is delivered as per the plan based on the agreed service level agreement
? Implement financial and credit services agreement with the vendor that maximize profit and positively contribute to cash flow
