About the Role:
Makro Philippines (CP Axtra AC Corporation) is looking for a Manager – Buyer (Non-Food) to lead category management, sourcing, and commercial execution across the Non-Food division. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, optimizing assortment and pricing, managing supplier partnerships, and driving sales, margin, and inventory performance. The position works closely with cross-functional teams and provides leadership and direction to Buyers and Category Assistants to support the company's wholesale and retail growth in the Philippines.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of category strategies, assortment planning, pricing, and commercial plans for assigned Non-Food categories.
- Develop category plans aligned with business objectives, customer needs, market trends, and overall company strategy.
- Lead supplier sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management to secure competitive pricing, favorable trading terms, rebates, promotions, and other commercial opportunities.
- Manage and evaluate supplier performance, ensuring compliance with agreed commercial terms, service levels, product availability, and business requirements.
- Monitor sales, margin, inventory, sell-through, and other key category performance indicators to identify risks, gaps, and growth opportunities.
- Drive assortment optimization by evaluating product productivity, market demand, profitability, and opportunities for new or exclusive products.
- Review and recommend pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness while achieving target margins and overall category profitability.
- Lead the planning and execution of promotional activities, ensuring alignment with supplier agreements, marketing initiatives, and category objectives.
- Analyze market trends, competitor activities, customer behavior, and industry developments to identify opportunities for category growth and differentiation.
- Collaborate closely with Marketing, Store Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure effective category execution at store level.
- Ensure appropriate inventory levels and product availability by working closely with Supply Chain and suppliers on forecasting, replenishment, and purchasing requirements.
- Review category performance regularly and provide actionable recommendations to the Category Head/Management.
- Lead, coach, and mentor Buyers and Category Assistants to improve commercial capability, analytical skills, supplier management, and execution.
- Establish performance expectations and provide guidance to the buying team in achieving sales, margin, inventory, and other category KPIs.
- Ensure adherence to company policies, procurement standards, internal controls, and commercial governance.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, cost efficiencies, supplier partnerships, and overall category profitability.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Merchandising, or a related field.
- Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in buying, category management, merchandising, procurement, or commercial management, preferably within retail, wholesale, or FMCG.
- At least 2–3 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity is preferred.
- Strong experience in Non-Food categories, such as household, personal care, general merchandise, consumer goods, or related categories, is highly advantageous.
- Proven experience in supplier negotiation, vendor management, assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and commercial agreements.
- Strong understanding of retail and wholesale business dynamics, category profitability, inventory management, and market trends.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret sales, margin, inventory, and market data and translate insights into business actions.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, presentation, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a buying or merchandising team.
- Highly organized, commercially driven, results-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
