Role Overview

The Senior Buyer will play a critical role in ensuring the grocery chain maintains a competitive edge through strategic sourcing, supplier management, and cost optimization. This position requires a strong understanding of the Zambian retail market, global supply trends, and the ability to balance quality, cost, and availability of products.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for key product categories.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with local and international suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and Zambian regulations.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure reliable supply chains.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to diversify sourcing options.

Inventory & Demand Planning

• Collaborate with merchandising and operations teams to forecast demand.
• Optimize stock levels to reduce waste while ensuring product availability.
• Monitor market trends and adjust buying strategies accordingly.

Cost & Value Optimization

• Drive initiatives to reduce procurement costs without compromising quality.
• Conduct regular market analysis to benchmark pricing and identify savings opportunities.
• Support sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor junior buyers and procurement staff.
• Work cross-functionally with finance, logistics, and store operations teams.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making at the senior management level.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of procurement experience, preferably in retail or FMCG.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proven track record in supplier management and cost optimization.
• Knowledge of Zambian import/export regulations and regional supply chain dynamics.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Competencies

• Commercial acumen and market awareness.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment.
• Ethical decision-making and commitment to sustainability.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for key product categories.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with local and international suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and Zambian regulations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure reliable supply chains.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to diversify sourcing options.
• Collaborate with merchandising and operations teams to forecast demand.
• Optimize stock levels to reduce waste while ensuring product availability.
• Monitor market trends and adjust buying strategies accordingly.
• Drive initiatives to reduce procurement costs without compromising quality.
• Conduct regular market analysis to benchmark pricing and identify savings opportunities.
• Support sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives.
• Mentor junior buyers and procurement staff.
• Work cross-functionally with finance, logistics, and store operations teams.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making at the senior management level.

• Strong negotiation skills
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Supplier management
• Cost optimization
• Knowledge of Zambian import/export regulations
• Knowledge of regional supply chain dynamics
• Proficiency in procurement software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Commercial acumen
• Market awareness
• Leadership skills
• Team management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment
• Ethical decision-making
• Commitment to sustainability

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of procurement experience, preferably in retail or FMCG.