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