The Retail Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods essential to Bon Food's retail operations. Collaborating closely with the Managing Director, this role involves developing purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company policies.The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and excellent negotiation abilities, along with a deep understanding of operation dynamics in a primarily import-based environment. Given that many products are sourced from Europe, particularly Italy, the candidate must grasp the cash flow implications and manage the substantial lead times associated with buying. A focus on demand forecasting and planning is essential to achieve desired customer satisfaction metrics effectively.As a Retail Buyer, you will play a crucial role in optimizing our retail buying processes and ensuring that our product offerings align with market demands. You will be responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiations, all while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.Key Responsibilities:Strategic SourcingDevelop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize buying processes, achieving cost savings while maintaining quality standards.Identify, evaluate, and establish strong relationships with suppliers.Conduct regular performance reviews and resolve any issues related to supply chain disruptions or service levels.Contract NegotiationsNegotiate agreements with suppliers to secure timely supply, favorable terms, and conditions, while ensuring regulatory requirements are met.Compliance and Risk ManagementEnsure all purchasing activities comply with company policies and industry regulations.Identify and mitigate risks associated with suppliers and buying processes.Legal ComplianceUnderstand and execute Australian labeling and ingredient laws to ensure compliance for products brought into the country for sale by the company.Market AnalysisConduct market research and analysis to stay informed about industry trends, pricing, and new suppliers.Use this information to make informed sourcing decisions.Cross-Functional CollaborationWork with internal stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance) to align buying strategies with organizational goals and budgets.Budget ManagementManage the purchasing budget, monitor expenditures, and identify areas for cost reduction.Reporting and AnalysisPrepare and present weekly buying reports to management and the Sales team, focusing on stock rotation, supply issues, and quarterly updates on key metrics, trends, and opportunities for improvement.Contribute as part of the Bon Food management team, fostering a team ethos, "can-do" attitude, and continuous improvement culture.Professional DevelopmentTake ownership of personal development by identifying areas for improvement that can enhance long-term performance in the role.Products Covered:All the Bon Food product portfolio. Note that currently, certain products are being purchased by the Managing Director due to existing relationships. These may be transitioned to the Retail Buyer in the future. In time, it is expected that purchasing of Bon Food's Liquor Division products (Arquilla Wines) will also be assumed by the Retail Buyer.Qualifications:Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred e.g. Commerce, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Finance, etc.Experience: Minimum of 5 years' experience in a procurement or supply chain environment, with 2 years in a managerial role.Language: Fluent English (spoken and written) is mandatory. Due to the significant influence and number of Italian suppliers, commercially fluent Italian is highly desirable.Skills:Strong negotiation and contract management skills – written and verbal.Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.Proficient in buying software and Microsoft Office Suite.Strong interpersonal and communication skills.Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.This position may require occasional travel to supplier sites or industry events.Flexible working hours may be required to meet deadlines or accommodate international suppliers.Note that the position is not a hybrid-role, with work from home being largely for special situations only.
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