Category Manager ( Merchandiser)

We are looking for Merchandiser (Buyers, Category Manager):
A. RESPONSIBILITIES:
· To be responsible for delivering the merchandise strategy for specific Merchandise Departments, ensuring that sales, profit and income generation targets are met.
1) Sales Generation
· Generate sales by ensuring that the Guardian's target customers are provided with the products and services that they want.
· Seek innovative products sourced throughout the world to provide newness and interest in the Guardian's offer.
· Develop in liaison with the marketing department attractive and interesting promotional events that follow a pre-agreed selling plan.
· Work closely with retail and sales management to ensure that store layouts, promotions, and display techniques are effective in maximizing sales and profit from the specific merchandise categories.
· Keep abreast of the retail environment by paying regular visits to stores and competitors and taking appropriate action to maintain competitive advantage.
· Develop a cataloging matrix to ensure that varying customer needs are satisfied in different localities.
2) Profit Generation
· Establish and maintain effective margin and price controls that maximize business profits whilst delivering a good value offer to the customer.
· Negotiate and work with vendors to build mutually beneficial relationships to ensure long-term strategic partnerships, leading to lower costs and higher margins.
· Maximize profit by utilizing category management techniques to manage assortments, pricing, and promotion.
3) Stock Control
· Manage stock levels and mark-downs to ensure that product availability is high yet ensure that cash flow is maximized by controlling stock levels in both warehouse and stores within set targets.
· Establish and maintain effective SKU control.
4) Systems and People
- Actively exploit benefits of the new merchandise management system ensuring sales, profit and costs are effectively managed.
- Develop and train subordinates ensuring that they are customer and product-focused.
- Manage performance through the setting and reviewing of individuals' performance.
- Build an effective and open working relationship both within the Merchandise Department and with other Departments.
- Assert a high level of administrative control to ensure the smooth running of the specific Merchandise Departments.
5) Dimensions
- Important quantitative items that best describe the scope of your job (eg sales volume, budgetary responsibility, number of subordinates).
- Budgeted sales, profit, income and stock levels.
6) Decision-Making Authority
- Buying for responsible categories.
- Vendor negotiations on margin, promotions and listings.
- Retail pricing
- In-store display for relevant categories.