SENIOR BUYER WINE: WCELLAR
Listing reference: woolw_001238
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 2 July 2025
Position summary
Industry: FMCG & Supply Management
Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Location: Western Cape
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: MARKET RELATED
EE position: No
Introduction
Source and buy product in support of the Category and WCellar Strategies, through effective supplier and profit management. Be driven by financial excellence.
Job description
- Lead and coordinate the development and execution of the Category Operational Plan
- Identify the key commercial strategies and develop quantifiable goals in order to deliver KPI's for the department
- Negotiate price, promotions and new lines, taking into account price tiering / product positioning and financial targets
- Integrate with Sales Management, Trade Planning and Marketing to draw up and implement a Promotional Calendar. Plan and implement promotional strategies. Integrate with planning to ensure supplier delivery.
- Establish category price position while applying an understanding of customer price perception, impacts on KVIs and of competitor pricing
- Establish a commercially viable range and manage the implementation thereof, including the facilitation of assortment and space
- Develop good working relationships with suppliers and other key stakeholders
- Review internal Woolworths performance data (sales, profit, market share, market size etc.) for the department and make comparisons against competition ito range, price, promotions and product development
- Ensure internal and external colleagues understand and work to deliver the department category plan
- Review department performance versus Department Scorecard/KPI's on a regular basis
- Manage financial accountabilities; margins (including strategic buy-in opportunities in consultation with Merchandise Planning), incentives, trading agreements, departmental charges, sample account, buyer losses, etc.
Minimum requirements
- Wine knowledge (WSET Level 2 or equivalent) is advantageous
- Minimum of a 3-year degree / post grad qualification in relevant commercial degree.
- 3-5 years' experience managing a team/leading people is required
- Experience in the liquor category & adjacent categories is advantageous.
- Ability to articulate complex concepts in clear, simple & logical terms & build compelling presentations & professional communications
- Ability to influence internal / external partners at all levels, with various backgrounds and expertise
- Resilience and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Highly entrepreneurial and passionate about the Liquor category
- Advanced MS suite proficiency (Excel & PPT) and data visualization tools (e.g., Qliksense or QlikView, etc)
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally
- Proven sourcing and supplier management experience. Wine Supplier base experience will be preferable.
- Proven ability to provide tactical input and deliver a category operating plan.
- Strong integrator and the ability to work in a Matrix structure.
- Strong negotiation and financial management skills.
- Proven ability to deliver commercial category KPIs (i.e. market share, sales growth, margin, ROS, availability).
- Understanding of Supply Chain processes and principles.
