Buyer

Ali Bin Ali Fashion W.L.L

Doha, Qatar

Qualification & Experience:

• University graduate preferably in a Business related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years in a Buying position with preferably fashion retail experience
• Experience in Premium/Luxury Fashion, preferably Fashion
• Computer literate using Office package, i.e., Word, basic Excel, Power-point.
• Highly motivated and self-starter.
• Great communicator with a exceptional relationship building skills.
• Organized with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills, preferably with French speaking background.
• Good knowledge on Arabic culture, market and local fashion trends would be useful.
• Demonstrable customer relations management skills.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Operations:

• Responsible for the Buying of at least 1 Directorate in Qatar and any Galeries Lafayette expansion
• The role will take full commercial responsibility for the suppliers, product and stock in his/her directorate. The projected sales mix will be approximately 10% with a selling space of the same. This member of the buying team must be able to represent the company at the highest level due to the magnitude of external relationships with suppliers, vendors and stakeholders. The role will include some help with the coaching of Buying Administration so good interpersonal skills and communication skills are essential. As a key member of the commercial team this person will be an expert within their category and will lead all commercial decisions. This role my report directly into The Head of Buying or into a senior buyer depending on the directorate they are responsible for.
• Maintain Vendor database.
• Manage vendor base in the most commercial way ensuring that the absolute number of active vendors will deliver the highest commercial value to the organization.
• Negotiate terms with vendors and look to constantly improve this season upon season to improve gross margin.
• Ensure all articles are set up accurately and PO’s communicated to vendor’s on-time and within agreed OTB parameters.
• Ensure that all records and files are kept in an organised and efficient way to ensure business continuity at all times.
• Ensuring reporting tools are always refreshed allowing for easy continues interrogation of business performance.
• Hold regular management meetings with key stakeholders to ensure that commercial information is communicated to the relevant parties to allow for optimum performance.
• Monitor stock and sell thru rates to ensure that business objectives are being adhered too and product targets are achieves.

Customer/Supplier: Internal/External:

• Managing the Buying activities for the directorate – Creating the Buying Plan. Select brands and products that meet agreed criteria and strategic vision of the directorate. Ensure all buys confirm to the agreed OTB parameters set by Head of Buying and Merchandise Planning Manager. Ensure buys are made on time, are set up accurately and communicated to suppliers in a timely fashion.
• Manage gross margin in line with agreed budgets.
• Ensure all communication between the supplier/brand is clear, concise and on time to ensure that the commercial deadlines are met.
• Ensure all buys conform to the agreed OTB parameters set with supplier.
• Liaise with ABA Legal Department to ensure that all Own Buy and commercial contracts are approved in timely fashion and conform to ABA terms of business.
• Manage the agreed supplier timescale for order placement and delivery into store. This is very important to overall availability.
• Liaise between Architects and brands/supplier to ensure that all new shop in shop and brand fixtures are approved and installed to the agreed schedule and to the agreed ABA standard.
• Monitor progress of all deliveries to ensure that new collections are delivered as requested and agreed.
• Liaise with warehouse and logistics to ensure that goods are receipted as per agreements and can flow through to the shop floor.
• Liaise with the administration team to ensure price changes and any promotion activity is put through the system and agreed with brands accordingly.