Category Buyer

Key Responsibilities

Category Management & Buying

- Manage end-to-end buying activities for assigned product categories.
- Develop and maintain the right product assortment based on customer demand, market trends and sales performance.
- Identify new products, brands and suppliers suitable for the assigned category.
- Conduct regular category reviews and rationalize slow-moving or non-performing SKUs.
- Ensure optimum product availability across all A-Z Supermarkets & Hypermarkets.

Vendor & Supplier Management

- Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers and vendors.
- Build and maintain strong professional relationships with manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.
- Negotiate purchase prices, margins, schemes, credit periods and commercial terms.
- Conduct periodic vendor performance reviews.
- Ensure timely follow-up on supply shortages, pending orders and delivery issues.
- Explore opportunities for exclusive products and improved commercial terms.

Sales & Margin Analysis

- Monitor category-wise sales, gross margins and profitability.
- Analyse sales trends and identify opportunities for category growth.
- Ensure achievement of targeted category margins.
- Monitor purchase costs and recommend appropriate selling price revisions.
- Track competitor pricing and market trends.
- Work towards improving category profitability without affecting customer value.

Inventory & Stock Management

- Monitor stock levels and ensure optimum inventory availability.
- Prevent stock-outs of fast-moving and essential products.
- Identify slow-moving, ageing and dead stocks and initiate corrective actions.
- Coordinate with stores and warehouse teams for stock planning and replenishment.
- Monitor inventory turnover and stock cover.
- Support demand forecasting and seasonal buying requirements.

Promotions & Category Development

- Plan category-specific promotions in coordination with the Marketing and Operations teams.




- Negotiate promotional schemes and additional support from suppliers.
- Analyse the effectiveness of promotional activities.
- Plan seasonal and festival-based product requirements.
- Identify opportunities to introduce new products and improve category performance.

Store & Market Analysis

- Conduct regular store visits to understand customer requirements and product movement.
- Monitor competitor stores for pricing, product assortment, promotions and new product launches.
- Collect market intelligence and provide actionable recommendations.
- Coordinate with Store Managers and Operations teams regarding category requirements.

Reporting & MIS

- Prepare periodic reports on sales, margins, stock, purchase and vendor performance.
- Track key KPIs including:
- Category Sales Growth
- Gross Margin %
- Stock Turnover
- Stock Availability
- Slow-Moving Stock
- Dead Stock
- Vendor Performance
- Purchase Cost Variance
- Present category performance and recommendations to management.

Candidate Requirements

- Graduate/Post Graduate in Business, Commerce, Supply Chain, Retail Management or a related discipline.
- 4–5 years of experience in Category Buying, Retail Buying, Purchase or Category Management.
- Experience in Supermarket, Hypermarket, FMCG, Modern Trade or Organized Retail is highly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of vendor management and commercial negotiations.
- Good understanding of product margins, pricing and retail profitability.
- Experience in inventory planning and stock management.
- Strong analytical and numerical ability.
- Positive knowledge of MS Excel and ERP/Purchase Management Systems.
- Ability to analyse sales and inventory reports and take commercial decisions.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple categories/vendors.

Preferred Experience Candidates with experience in handling one or more of the following categories will be preferred:

- FMCG & Grocery
- Food & Beverages

Pay: ₹40,000.00 - ₹45,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person

📌 Category Buyer (Palakkad)
🏢 A to Z Supermarkets
📍 Palakkad