Senior Buyer

Overview

We are recruiting!

Our client in Lusaka, is looking for a Senior Buyer to join their team for a job vacancy within the FMCG Retail industry.

To apply, or for more information, follow the link below.

Senior Buyer

Role Overview

The Senior Buyer role is crucial for managing procurement operations and maintaining cost-effective purchasing strategies. This position involves overseeing the purchasing of goods, services, and materials required by an organization, ensuring quality standards are met and costs are kept within budget. As a strategic component of the supplies management team, the Senior Buyer drives negotiations with suppliers, analyses market trends, and manages relationships with key vendors, playing a vital role in the operational efficiency and financial success of the company. The Senior Buyer will lead category planning, negotiations, and promotional strategies to ensure the supermarket remains competitive, customer-focused, and operationally efficient.

Key Responsibilities

Category Management & Strategy
Develop category strategies that align with business goals and customer needs.
Conduct market analysis to identify trends, customer preferences, and competitive opportunities.
Manage product range planning, seasonal updates, and new product introductions.
Ensure a balanced assortment across price tiers (value, core, and premium).
Supplier Management & Negotiation
Source, evaluate, and select suppliers based on performance, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Negotiate trading terms, rebates, promotional funding, and long-term contracts.
Build strategic partnerships with key suppliers to deliver innovation and commercial advantage.
Conduct regular supplier reviews to monitor performance, delivery, and compliance.
Commercial & Financial Performance
Deliver sales, margin, and profitability targets within assigned categories.
Monitor and manage category P&L, ensuring strong cost control and value creation.
Optimize pricing strategies in response to market conditions and competitor activity.
Collaborate with the replenishment and supply chain teams to maintain availability and minimize waste.
Promotions & Marketing
Work with marketing and operations teams to plan and execute promotional campaigns, price reductions, and special offers.
Evaluate promotional effectiveness through post-campaign analysis.
Support private-label development and brand-building initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with merchandising, logistics, and store operations to ensure smooth execution of category plans.
Collaborate with finance and data analytics to forecast demand and measure performance.
Support the e-commerce team in optimizing the online assortment and digital merchandising.
Leadership & Team Development
Coach and mentor Junior Buyers and Buying Assistants.
Contribute to the professional development of the wider buying team.
Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

Key Requirements

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Retail, or related discipline.
5–8 years’ buying experience within supermarket or grocery retail (food, beverages, or household categories preferred).
Additional certification such as Certified Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS).
Proven record of achieving commercial targets and managing supplier negotiations at senior level.
Proven experience of 5+ years in a procurement or purchasing role, with at least 2+ years in a senior position handling complex procurement tasks.
Strong knowledge of procurement and vendor management software.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.

 Skills & Competencies

Strong commercial acumen and market awareness.
Advanced negotiation and relationship management skills.
Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and market data.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and retail ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA).
Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
Results-driven, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.

Performance Indicators

Category sales and profit growth.
Supplier income and cost savings achieved.
On-shelf availability and inventory turnover.
Private-label market share and innovation pipeline.
Promotional ROI and customer satisfaction metrics.

“All candidates are required to obtain their ZAQA certification from the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)”