Children''s Category Buyer

Our client is a well-established retailer with a growing e-commerce presence.

We are hiring a UAE experienced category buyer for toys, children’s, party and novelty items.

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining product categories and ranges; expand product lines to enhance customer footfall to meet and exceed retail sales revenue targets,

Candidates must have expertise in toys and children’s items – buying, planning, replenishment, retail and e-commerce category strategy, consumer and shopper insights.

Role Summary

• Sourcing and vendor selection and management - expansion of supplier network; RFI, RFQ and RFPs, prepare vendor due diligence documents and analysis
• Vendor negotiations - lead local and international supplier negotiations based on specifications, quality, most favorable price, delivery times and commercial terms.
• Shopper and product reporting and data analysis – ability to synthesize large amounts of data, generate reports and scorecards to provide insights and actionable opportunities to grow consumer interest and buying.
• Order placement and delivery tracking to ensure products are delivered on time to achieve sales targets.
• Forecast and inventory planning.
• Product quality assurance to ensure product labeling, safety and quality based on samples and random production checks.
• Document compliance for import and export.
• Gather feedback from retail stores and e-commerce customers to improve product ranges.
• Coordinate with the retail and e-commerce teams for pricing, sales campaigns, price reductions and product offers based on sales performance and stock levels.

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• 5+ years’ experience as a category buyer in toys, seasonal , party and novelty items, baby wear, children’s accessories or FMCG.
• Strong experience in merchandising and pricing strategies to drive revenue and profit margin growth.
• Multi-channel experience – strong understanding of e-commerce vs in-store shopping comparisons and trends.
• Shopper insights – aisle reinvention, PoS material, disruptive merchandising strategies
• Commercial and financial acumen to prepare and analyze sales reports and business performance to manage inventory levels, sales forecasts and maintain revenue and margin targets.
• Forward thinking with a finger on the pulse for emerging trends, shopper insights and customer feedback to drive category growth and sales volume.
• Advanced Excel skills - VLOOKUP and pivot tables.

Candidate Profile

• Currently living in the United Arab Emirates – must be able to live and work in Dubai.
• Fluent in English.
• Professional appearance and work ethic; excellent relationship building and communication skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree