Job Overview: The Buyer will be responsible for sourcing, selecting, and purchasing a variety of health, beauty, personal care, and food products for the retail business. The successful candidate will work closely with suppliers, marketing teams, and inventory management to ensure products meet customer needs, adhere to safety standards, and achieve sales targets. Additionally, this role includes responsibility for managing in-store product displays to ensure attractive and organized presentation that aligns with company standards and drives customer engagement. This role requires strong negotiation skills, market trend awareness, and an ability to maintain competitive pricing while ensuring quality and stock availability. Occasionally, the role may require business trips to distant locations, including overnight stays.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
Source and evaluate potential suppliers for various product categories, including healthcare, wellness, beauty, personal care, and food products.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers to secure favorable business conditions.
Analyze market trends, consumer demand, and competitor activity to adjust and optimize buying strategies.
Forecast and manage product stock levels to ensure availability while minimizing overstock, maintaining a healthy balance between supply and demand.
Collaborate closely with marketing and promotional teams to support sales campaigns and enhance product visibility.
Develop and create detailed planograms using internal software to optimize product placement, maximize sales performance, and enhance customer shopping experience.
Manage product displays in existing stores and actively participate in the planning and execution of merchandise placement for new store openings and store renovations, ensuring alignment with visual merchandising standards and maximizing customer engagement.
Ensure all products sold in the store comply with regulatory requirements, including health, beauty, and food safety standards.
Monitor product performance using sales data and customer feedback to adjust buying plans and product assortments.
Maintain strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers to secure reliable supply chains and resolve any operational issues efficiently.
Coordinate with warehouse and inventory teams to ensure timely deliveries and accurate stock levels.
Prepare regular reports on procurement activities, inventory status, and budget usage.
Travel occasionally, including overnight stays, to visit suppliers and support store operations, including store opening preparations, as required.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree.
3–5 years of experience as a buyer, particularly in retail, drugstore, or FMCG industries.
Proven track record in supplier relationship management and negotiation.
Knowledge of the Malaysian retail market and consumer trends.
Strong analytical skills in forecasting and inventory management.
Ability to communicate and collaborate across departments.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
Willingness to travel occasionally, including overnight stays for business purposes.
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.
Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic work environment.
Preferred
Experience in in-store product display and visual merchandising
Hands-on experience with procurement or purchasing software
Proactive attitude and openness to new ideas
Japanese language proficiency is a plus