Head of Merchandise - Retail - Montague Gardens, Cape Town

SUMMARY:
Calling all Retail Buying Managers and Merchandise Planning Managers in Cape Town

POSITION INFO:

My client, a leading and well known retailer in the Furniture and Appliance Industry requires an experienced and well connected head of Merchandise to join their team.

Your creativity, ambition, and flair will be pivotal in guiding our business, driving strategic growth initiatives and fostering innovation in our dynamic and growing retail environment. Your contributions will be instrumental in shaping our future.

As the Head of Merchandise, you will have the opportunity to lead and inspire our merchandise team, modernise our current range, and expand our range into new categories such as homewares and soft furnishings.

Your vision and leadership will be the driving force behind our growth and success.

You will report directly to the CEO at our Head Office in Montague Gardens, Cape Town.

Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification (Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or a related field).

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in buying or planning, with at least three years in a leadership or senior-level role.

• Experience collaborating with departments such as Operations, Marketing and Finance.

• Proven track record of negotiation and stakeholder management.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

• Proven understanding of financial principles and budget management, including tracking expenses, forecasting costs and maximising cost-saving opportunities.

• Effective leadership and team management skills, with a track record of developing and motivating high-performing teams.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels of the organisation.

• Fluent in both English and Afrikaans.

• Driver’s licence.

What experience & skills do you need for the role?

• Entrepreneurial with a willingness to take risks and demonstrate courage, determination and perseverance.

• Enthusiasm, optimism and high energy levels.

• A positive and proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Exceptional time management, prioritisation and organisational abilities.

• Effective leadership skills and the capacity to lead and inspire a diverse team.

• Ability to make decisions and remain composed under pressure.

• A dedication to ongoing learning and professional development to stay current with industry trends, best practices and emerging procurement and supply chain management technologies. skills & attributes

• SA Citizens only
• Must be Criminal and Credit Clear
• Preferably Cape Town based

DUTIES:(But not limited to)

Buying Management & Selection

As the Head of Merchandise, your role will be crucial in developing and implementing strategic plans for product sourcing, considering market trends, customer preferences and budget constraints.

You will be responsible for monitoring product performance and customer feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring product quality and compliance with industry standards. Your collaboration with the marketing team will be key in presenting our products to the right customers and your product data management will drive data-driven decision-making.

Leadership & Team Management

You will lead, mentor and manage our merchandise team.

You will encourage innovation and creativity within the team to deliver fantastic products for our customers.

Supplier Management

Maintain a focused and efficient supplier base and cultivate strong relationships with key suppliers to guarantee high-quality products and reliable and timely delivery.

We take pride in developing enduring and robust relationships with our suppliers. scope of the role

Creative

Responsible for overseeing the creative direction of merchandise and presenting the product to customers online, in-store and through marketing material.

Risk Management

To ensure operational stability, develop strategies to assess and mitigate supply chain risks, including disruptions, vendor reliability and market fluctuations.

Reporting

Monthly reporting on key merchandise metrics, including sales, gross profit, product performance, supplier performance, markdowns, promotions, stock management and regular reporting on market analysis.

Process Streamline the procurement processes and workflows to improve efficiency and productivity.

This involves reviewing, amending and creating company policies and procedures related to procurement and developing and communicating best practices.

Use technology and automation tools to optimise purchasing processes and reduce manual tasks.