Senior Buyer

About the role

An established design‑led retail brand is looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join its dynamic team in Cape Town. You will be responsible for sourcing materials and finished goods, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring product ranges align with both creative vision and commercial targets.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute seasonal buying strategies across categories such as homeware, lifestyle and gifting.
• Source and negotiate with local and international suppliers to secure quality products at competitive prices.
• Collaborate with product development, design and merchandising teams to align buying plans with design briefs and market trends.
• Monitor inventory levels and support demand planning to guarantee product availability.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Assess product samples for cost‑effectiveness, quality and brand suitability.
• Manage supplier performance, resolve delivery or quality issues and ensure compliance with lead times and service level agreements.
• Maintain accurate purchase orders, pricing files and supplier contracts.

Required profile

• A Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain, Buying, Fashion Merchandising or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of buying or procurement experience, preferably in retail, design or consumer goods.
• Strong analytical thinking with a good eye for design, product trends and quality.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship‑management abilities.
• Organised, detail‑oriented and able to meet tight deadlines.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Sage or SAP.