Job description

Main Purpose of the job: To manage & position the category in terms of ranging, pricing, & competitiveness to grow sales, improve market share & maximize profitability.

Understand the customers’ needs and wants and achieve Makro strategic objectives by sourcing and procuring innovative ranges from local or international sources of supply.

Key performance areas

• Formulate & execute a Category strategy in line with the corporate strategic direction
• Formulate documented strategy & Business plan with clearly defined objectives with senior management and Planner
• Develop sales & promotion plans for allocated category
• Ensure the effective management of sales, profit, margin, stock turns & collections
• Daily sales performance review and daily feedback to MM on financial performance and investigation into concerns re sales, margins, merchandise and customer issues.
• Ensure all rebates and additional incomes are collected to support operating income
• Conduct daily margin performance review
• Conduct weekly & monthly review inputs
• Ensure monthly Profit & Loss review & discussions with Manager
• Ensuring all purchasing decisions are in line with strategy with focus on customer and ranging elements
• Ensure the effective management of ranges and conduct annual and post seasonal range review process presenting all criteria – customer analysis, competitor analysis, range analysis, supplier analysis, etc. To MM
• Ensure that the product is set at the most appropriate price that is in line with the customers’ expectations
• List new products and ensure that they are referenced by assortment
• Management of master data
• DC allocations / replenishments
• Create ideal range matrix and mirror all products to this
• Monitor performance of individual SKU’s both local and international in terms of selection, negotiation, order, delivery, in store presentation,, marketing, clearance. Joint management and involvement in all imports and shipping process.
• Conduct age stock management
• Ensure the regular analysis of markdowns
• Set pricing for allocated range
• Keep abreast of trends
• Manage the performance of the line through sales, promotion costs, markdowns, inventory, product quality, & pricing
• Build & establish strategic alliances with suppliers
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and setting of business plans for future action and growth
• Ensure ethical & appropriate behaviour in all supplier dealings
• Manage vendor performance through selection & cost negotiation
• Ensure the management of quality of products
• Ensure SABS certificate or quality approval validations for all products
• Utilize of correct quality measures / methods for relevant area
• Motivate and inspire team and stores
• Assist new staff with their orientation programme and training
• Supervise and manage MC’s
• Occasionally involved with Cadet and Graduate programmes
• Ensure effective and written oral communication with all across the chain (Directors, peers, subordinates, stores, customers and suppliers)
• Participate in weekly team meetings and feedback on issues
• Understand customer segmentation
• Spend time in stores interfacing with customers to better understand their needs and wants
• Utilization of CRM to effectively understand customer trends
• Constant inquiry into understanding market happenings – discussions, newspapers, statistical data, etc.
• Visit competitors regularly to understand market
• Regular visits to all stores and monthly visit to DC
• Review financials performance with focus on product categories, promotions, suppliers and competitors
• Conduct floor visits – assessing merchandising standards and layouts
• Weekly Broadsheets / Seasonal Catalogues / Newspaper / TV
• • Submit product per promotion in accordance with plan for approval by MM
  • Check proofs for final sign off
  • Ensure on time delivery by daily follow up and feedback
  • Post promotion evaluation to determine strengths and weaknesses
  • Manage collections in line with promotional programme
• Understand the Private Label strategy
• Approval of final packaging etc. in conjunction with Private Label Team
• Understand the extensive daily usage of SAP / BW
• Usage of Microsoft Office

Requirements

Minimum Academic Requirements, Professional Qualifications, and Experience:

Qualifications:

• Degree or diploma (Commerce)

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years retail experience
• Direct product experience in category is an advantage

Posted on 17 May 14:45