Buyer – Buying and Merchandising
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Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
12 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
In partnership with our client we are seeking a Buyer to join the Buying and Merchandising team at a leading retail brand based in Lagos. You will analyse sales data forecast demand manage supplier relationships and make the product decisions that keep the brand relevant competitive and commercially strong. This is a role for someone who blends analytical rigour with creative intuition and thrives at the intersection of data trends and retail strategy. If you love fashion live for data and know how to turn insight into a purchase order we want to meet you.
Who are we looking for
- You are an experienced buying professional with a minimum of 5 years of related experience in a structured retail manufacturing or FMCG environment.
- You are analytically strong and comfortable working with sales data inventory reports and forecasting models to make informed and commercially sound purchasing decisions.
- You are deeply trend-aware with a strong understanding of fashion cycles consumer preferences and the competitive retail landscape both locally and globally.
- You are a skilled negotiator who knows how to build and maintain strong supplier relationships while securing the best possible terms for the business.
- You are proficient in Excel and Power BI able to synthesise complex data into clear actionable insights that drive better buying decisions.
- You are highly organised and detail-oriented able to manage multiple orders suppliers and timelines simultaneously without losing visibility or control.
- You are creative and commercially minded in equal measure balancing product aesthetics and trend relevance with margin discipline and inventory efficiency.
Your Responsibilities
Market Analysis and Product Selection
- You will conduct ongoing research to understand market trends consumer preferences and competitor activities translating those insights into clear and commercially sound product selection decisions.
- You will choose a range of products that align with the brands identity target market and seasonal trends attending trade shows and brand meetings to stay informed and ahead of the curve.
- You will keep abreast of emerging fashion trends to anticipate consumer demand and ensure the product range remains fresh relevant and exciting.
Supplier Relations and Negotiation
- You will build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers negotiating terms prices and delivery schedules to secure the most favourable deals for the business.
- You will place orders with suppliers monitor order progress and ensure timely delivery escalating issues promptly when timelines are at risk.
- You will coordinate logistics of product delivery including shipping customs clearance and warehousing in collaboration with the relevant teams.
Inventory and Budget Management
- You will ensure an optimal balance between having enough stock to meet demand and minimising excess inventory using data to inform every purchasing decision.
- You will develop and maintain open-to-buy plans to optimise inventory levels and turnover managing the buying budget with discipline and commercial awareness.
- You will analyse sales data and synthesise it into clear relevant insights for inventory management providing cross-functional teams with the data they need to make informed decisions.
Sales Analysis and Reporting
- You will regularly review the sales performance of purchased products to assess their success and make adjustments to future buying strategies based on what the data shows.
- You will prepare reports on buying activities sales performance and inventory levels providing insights that support decision-making across the business on a weekly monthly and annual basis.
What Success looks like
- A well-curated and commercially strong product range that consistently aligns with consumer demand seasonal trends and the brands positioning in the market.
- Inventory levels maintained at optimal balance with minimal excess stock and no significant out-of-stock situations caused by poor forecasting or late order placement.
- Supplier relationships that deliver consistent quality favourable terms and reliable delivery timelines contributing to a smooth and efficient supply chain.
- Open-to-buy plans that are accurate well-managed and regularly updated to reflect real-time sales performance and inventory movement.
- Weekly monthly and annual buying reports that are data-rich clearly presented and consistently used by leadership to inform commercial decisions.
To be considered for this role you should have
- A Bachelors degree in Business Management Administration Economics or a related field. A Masters degree or professional certification is an added advantage.
- A minimum of 5 years of related experience in a buying merchandising or category management role within a structured retail or commercial environment.
- Familiarity with market research data analysis inventory control and forecasting techniques.
- Proficiency in Excel and Power BI with strong analytical skills and the ability to forecast based on trend data.
- Experience in the retail industry is a strong advantage.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong interpersonal and relationship management abilities.
Challenges you may face in this role
- Accurately forecasting consumer demand in a fast-moving fashion market where trends can shift quickly and unpredictably.
- Balancing the creative ambition of product selection with the commercial realities of budget constraints margin targets and inventory discipline.
- Managing multiple supplier relationships order timelines and delivery schedules simultaneously while maintaining quality and accuracy across all of them.
- Navigating the complexity of logistics coordination including shipping customs and warehousing in an environment where delays can directly impact product availability and sales performance.
- Synthesising large volumes of sales and inventory data into clear actionable insights quickly enough to inform buying decisions in a timely and commercially relevant way.
The Goodies
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunity for professional development and growth within a dynamic retail buying and merchandising environment.
- A collaborative team where your commercial instincts analytical skills and product knowledge are genuinely valued.
- A high-impact role where your decisions directly shape what customers see buy and love about the brand.
