Executive Buying (Toys/Retail) Early Learning Centre ( ELC )

Toys & Retail | United Arab Emirates

� POSITION OVERVIEW

The Executive Buying professional will be responsible for leading and executing strategic procurement initiatives, managing supplier relationships, and driving profitability across the Toys and Retail divisions. This role requires a seasoned buyer with proven expertise in category management, vendor negotiations, and market intelligence.

� KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. STRATEGIC BUYING & PROCUREMENT

• Develop comprehensive buying strategies aligned with business objectives and market opportunities

• Create annual and seasonal buying plans based on sales forecasts and inventory analysis

• Identify emerging market trends and consumer preferences in toys and retail sectors

• Manage category economics and product assortment optimization

• Conduct competitive analysis and market intelligence gathering

• Recommend product mix adjustments based on performance metrics and customer demand.

  
  

2. SUPPLIER & VENDOR MANAGEMENT

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers and manufacturers

• Negotiate contracts, terms, pricing, and delivery schedules with vendors

• Establish and maintain long-term strategic relationships with key suppliers

• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs (quality, delivery, cost)

• Conduct supplier audits and quality assessments

• Manage supplier escalations and resolve issues proactively

• Develop vendor scorecards and conduct regular business reviews

  
  

3. COST OPTIMIZATION & MARGIN MANAGEMENT

• Identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality

• Negotiate volume discounts, promotional terms, and payment conditions

• Implement cost-saving initiatives and track ROI

• Analyze landed costs and total cost of ownership

• Manage promotional calendars and markdown strategies

• Monitor gross margin performance against targets

• Implement value engineering and product improvement initiatives

  
  

4. INVENTORY & DEMAND PLANNING

• Collaborate with demand planning teams on inventory forecasting

• Optimize stock levels to balance availability and inventory carrying costs

• Manage seasonal buying and peak demand periods

• Monitor stock turnover rates and identify slow-moving inventory

• Implement strategies to reduce excess stock and obsolescence

• Analyze sales velocity and adjust replenishment accordingly

  
  

5. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & MERCHANDISING

• Partner with merchandising teams on product selection and sourcing

• Support private label and exclusive product development initiatives

• Review product specifications, quality standards, and packaging requirements

• Coordinate with product development for cost-effective sourcing solutions

• Evaluate new product opportunities and market launches

• Ensure products meet regulatory and compliance requirements

  
  

6. CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION

• Work closely with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis

• Collaborate with Operations on logistics, warehousing, and distribution

• Partner with Sales & Marketing to understand customer preferences and trends

• Coordinate with Quality Assurance on product testing and compliance

• Liaise with Legal on contract reviews and compliance matters

• Communicate regularly with store/retail managers on product availability

  
  

7. SYSTEMS & DATA MANAGEMENT

• Utilize buying systems, ERP, and inventory management software

• Generate and analyze buying reports and performance dashboards

• Track KPIs including inventory turnover, margins, and supplier metrics

• Maintain accurate product databases and supplier information

• Implement process improvements and automation where possible

• Create documentation and standard operating procedures

8. MARKET & COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and market dynamics

• Attend trade shows, supplier events, and industry conferences

• Stay updated on regulatory changes and compliance requirements

• Identify growth opportunities in emerging categories

• Analyze consumer behavior and purchasing patterns

• Report insights and recommendations to senior management

  
  

9. TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

• Lead and mentor buying team members (if applicable)

• Conduct training on buying processes and best practices

• Delegate tasks and manage workload distribution

• Foster collaborative and high-performance team culture

• Provide performance feedback and development guidance

• Represent the buying function in cross-departmental meetings

10. SPECIAL PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

• Lead category resets and product portfolio reviews

• Support expansion into new product categories or markets

• Drive sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives

• Participate in company-wide strategic projects

• Support store launches or expansion initiatives

• Contribute to continuous improvement programs