Job Description
<p>At Sportscene, we believe that we inspire the love of sneakers and street culture. We blend sports and street brands that matter, creating a unique environment for street-conscious youth where Sneakers are King.</p><p>An opportunity has become available on our buying team for a Buying Manager focused on Private Label Brands.</p><p>This position requires a high-energy, self-motivated individual with strong people management skills and the ability to develop and manage key strategic own-brand partnerships. The successful applicant must be comfortable with working in a fast-paced environment and be results-driven.</p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">A relevant tertiary qualification</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Minimum 3 years working experience at a management level, incl. people / team management</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Minimum 10 years relevant buying / merchandise experience is essential</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Proven track record in building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Proven track record and ability to drive a merchandise strategy by demonstrating innovative and creative thinking</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ability to persuade and influence both internal and external stakeholders</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to aggressive deadlines, incl. problem solving</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Exceptional analytical ability to effectively evaluate and drive functional KPIs, incl. sales growth, PIS, CSOH, input- and maintained margins, stock turn, clearance</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of organisation</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Proven leadership and People management ability</span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Preference will be given, but not limited to, candidates from designated </strong></span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>As a</strong><span><strong> Senior </strong></span><strong>Buying Manager, your key responsibilities will be:</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Strategy Development and Execution </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Develop and execute seasonal product strategies in line with the company strategy </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Work closely with the Planning Manager to develop cohesive action plans to execute the brand strategy </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Evaluate strategic progress and pivot where necessary to achieve strategic objectives</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Identify key macro and micro-economic trends that will impact on the implementation of the buying strategy and plan accordingly. </span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Product Development </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Own and manage the product development cycle from range conceptualisation to design, pre-production sample approvals and bulk production approvals.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Manage the range architecture and price tiering of seasonal ranges ensuring a credible and balanced assortment is on offer across store grids and online channels. </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ensure relevant global trends are well represented in the range and aligned to customer preferences</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ensure Authentic product execution in line with the brand ethos</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Deliver a clear value proposition in support of the brand positioning. </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Sign off product strategy at various review stages in the product development process</span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>KPI and Trade Management </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Display a clear understanding of the business against weekly, monthly and seasonal sales performance to plan.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Drive key action plans based on current performance to maximise sales, improve sales margin and minimize markdown.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Drive an In-Season trade mentality in your buying team that displays agility and quick decision making to shift the outcome of sales.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Manage key performance indicators including Sales, Sales Margin, Clearance and Stock Management</span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Maintain a collaborative relationship with the planning, e- commerce, marketing and store operations teams to ensure cohesive execution of product strategies</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Provide guidance and support to the marketing team on product launches, promotions and product initiatives </span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Supplier Management </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Forge strategic partnerships with key suppliers by aligning the supply base to the business strategy </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Evaluate and manage supplier performance on a regular basis and identify potential risks within the supplier loading.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Negotiate with suppliers to achieve margin targets and improve lead time efficiency </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Maintain strong relationships with existing vendors and explore opportunities for new partnerships</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ensure Suppliers are compliant with the Group’s Social and Ethical requirements and contribute towards the brand’s sustainability strategy</span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Team Leadership and Talent Management </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ensure that assigned team is effectively resourced, directed, motivated and developed to enable team members to reach their full potential.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Drive and develop the performance of the team with a view to optimise delivery and achievement of objectives whilst effectively managing performance issues or concerns</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ensure learning and development opportunities are available to the team. </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Cultivate a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement within the team to optimise sales and deliver KPI’s.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Mentor, Coach and develop the team to support their career development </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Manage various functions within the buying department, including buying, design and quality assurance, and ensuring alignment across these functions.</span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Critical Path and Lead Time Management</strong></span></p><ul><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Ensure buying critical path aligns to the merchandise cycle to deliver the on-time launch of product.</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Evaluate buying process efficiency and evolve process accordingly to support faster and more accurate decision making </span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Constantly identify opportunities to reduce lead times</span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Project Management </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Participate and align business projects to group strategic projects</span></p></li><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Implement and evolve key retail projects such as 3D, Sustainability and Quick Response </span></p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;"><strong>Market Analysis </strong></span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><p style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-family: "Aptos Display", sans-serif;">Conduct regular store and market visits to understand the competitor landscape and identify new opportunities for growth</span></p></li></ul>
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