Job Purpose
We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Buying & Merchandising, Gadget & Accessories to lead the category strategy, product portfolio, and commercial performance of gadget and accessory categories across COM7's retail business.
This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, identifying new product and market opportunities, managing key vendor and brand partnerships, and driving sales, margin, inventory productivity, and overall category profitability.
The successful candidate will work closely with Product, Marketing, Retail Operations, E-Commerce, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to ensure the right products are available at the right price, in the right channels, and at the right time.
Key Responsibilities
1. Category Strategy & Business Planning
- Develop and execute the overall buying and merchandising strategy for Gadget, Accessories, and related product categories.
- Define category vision, product portfolio, assortment strategy, pricing architecture, and commercial direction in line with company objectives.
- Identify market trends, consumer insights, emerging technologies, and new product opportunities to drive category growth.
- Develop annual and seasonal business plans, including sales, margin, inventory, and profitability targets.
- Continuously review category performance and identify opportunities for growth and portfolio optimization.
2. Buying & Merchandising Management
- Lead end-to-end buying activities, from product selection and assortment planning to purchasing, allocation, and product lifecycle management.
- Build a balanced product portfolio across different price points, brands, and customer segments.
- Manage new product launches, product refreshes, and promotional assortments.
- Ensure optimal product availability across retail stores and online channels.
- Monitor inventory turnover, stock aging, sell-through, markdowns, and stock productivity.
3. Vendor & Brand Management
- Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key brands, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers.
- Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, margins, trading terms, rebates, marketing support, inventory commitments, and promotional activities.
- Identify and onboard new brands, products, and suppliers to strengthen the company's product portfolio.
- Establish strategic partnerships to secure competitive products, exclusive launches, and differentiated offerings.
- Monitor vendor performance and ensure commercial agreements are delivered as agreed.
4. Commercial & P&L Management
- Own and drive category sales, gross margin, inventory, and profitability performance.
- Develop pricing and promotional strategies to maximize revenue and margin.
- Analyze sales performance, market trends, competitor pricing, and customer behavior to support commercial decisions.
- Manage category P&L and ensure performance is aligned with business targets.
- Develop action plans to address underperforming categories, products, or vendors.
5. Omnichannel & Retail Collaboration
- Partner with Retail Operations and E-Commerce teams to develop category strategies across offline and online channels.
- Ensure assortment and product strategies are aligned with customer demand across different channels.
- Collaborate with Marketing and CRM teams on product campaigns, promotions, launches, and customer engagement initiatives.
- Work closely with Supply Chain and Inventory teams to optimize product availability and inventory efficiency.
6. Market & Competitive Intelligence
- Monitor market trends, competitor assortments, pricing, promotions, and new product launches.
- Identify emerging categories, technologies, brands, and consumer trends.
- Translate market and consumer insights into actionable buying and merchandising strategies.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the evolving Gadget & Accessories ecosystem.
7. Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop the Buying and Merchandising team.
- Establish team objectives, KPIs, and performance management processes.
- Build a high-performing team with strong commercial, analytical, negotiation, and category management capabilities.
- Develop succession plans and strengthen organizational capabilities within the function.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in Buying, Merchandising, Category Management, Commercial, or related functions.
- Strong experience managing Gadget, Accessories, Consumer Electronics, IT Products, Lifestyle Products, or related categories.
- Proven experience in a senior leadership role within Retail, Consumer Electronics, E-Commerce, or Distribution businesses.
- Strong commercial acumen with proven experience managing sales, gross margin, inventory, and category profitability.
- Strong negotiation and vendor management skills with experience working with major brands and suppliers.
- Strong understanding of retail merchandising, assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and product lifecycle management.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate data and market insights into business decisions.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong business acumen and ability to operate in a fast-paced, highly competitive retail environment.
- Good command of English, both written and spoken.
