Manager - Buyer (Dry Food - Hot Beverages)
Ayala Corporation has formed a joint venture with CP AXTRA, Thailand's leading wholesale and retail operator, to bring Makro to the Philippines. The venture aims to introduce a differentiated wholesale format and assortment to the Philippines to address unmet local demand for high-quality, fresh food products.
Role Overview
The Manager - Buyer (Dry Food - Hot Beverages) manages, conceptualizes, develops, and purchases Dry Food products in line with company guidelines, achieving launch, sales, and profit targets for the category. As part of a growing start-up retail business, this role requires a hands-on leader who can drive category strategy, manage supplier relationships, and support strategic decision-making as we grow our wholesale footprint in the Philippines.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and select a range of Dry Food products to sell
- Set up sales plans and manage other income streams
- Manage and control category budget allocation across suppliers
- Assess customer demand, including price, quality, and availability
- Capture, analyze, and predict future market trends, adapting quickly to shifts in demand
- Evaluate company financial budgets against category products and policies
- Maximize profits at competitive prices through benchmarking against rivals
- Ensure products match or exceed benchmark quality while priced according to brand positioning
- Understand product seasonality, popularity, and timing within the category
- Regularly review performance indicators such as sales and discount levels
- Manage stock level planning and respond to changes in demand and logistics
- Meet with suppliers and negotiate contract terms
- Maintain relationships with existing suppliers and source new ones for the future
- Participate in promotional activities and understand customer needs
- Prepare reports and sales forecasts, presenting to senior management
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, International Business Administration, or related field
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in sourcing or buying, ideally in grocery assortments
- Strong negotiation skills and solid commercial/merchandising sense
- Proactive, initiative-driven, with a positive, can-do attitude
- Ability to multitask and respond quickly under pressure
- Results- and detail-oriented
- Good command of English
- Proficient in MS Office