Experience: 3+ Years
Location: [Location]
Department: Procurement / Merchandising / Category Management
Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Category Buyer for Dairy & Bakery products to manage sourcing, vendor relationships, assortment planning, pricing, and category performance. The ideal candidate will have experience in FMCG, retail, e-commerce, or food procurement and possess strong analytical and negotiation skills to drive category growth and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage procurement and category planning for Dairy & Bakery products.
- Develop and execute category strategies to achieve sales, margin, and growth targets.
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers while maintaining strong relationships with existing vendors.
- Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, rebates, and promotional agreements with suppliers.
- Monitor inventory levels and ensure optimum stock availability while minimizing wastage and expiry losses.
- Analyze market trends, consumer preferences, competitor activities, and pricing strategies.
- Collaborate with merchandising, operations, supply chain, and marketing teams to drive category performance.
- Track key KPIs including sales, margins, inventory turns, availability, and supplier performance.
- Manage assortment planning and product launches to meet customer demand.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, quality standards, and company procurement policies.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Food Technology, Commerce, or related field.
- 3+ years of experience in buying, procurement, category management, or merchandising, preferably in Dairy & Bakery categories.
- Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
- Good understanding of supply chain and inventory management.
- Proficiency in MS Excel and ERP/Procurement systems.
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in retail, FMCG, quick commerce, e-commerce, or food distribution industries.
- Knowledge of demand forecasting and category analytics.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
- Commercial acumen and data-driven decision-making skills.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Category Sales Growth
- Gross Margin Improvement
- Supplier Performance & Savings
- Inventory Availability
- Waste and Expiry Reduction
- New Product Introduction Success Rate
- Stock Turnover Ratio
Pay: ₹400,000.00 - ₹700,000.00 per month
Benefits:
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Provident Fund
Work Location: In person
