Fresh Category Buyer

Job Summary:

The Fresh Category Buyer will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing vendors for the Fresh category (Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, Bakery, Meat, and other perishables). The role focuses on ensuring the right product assortment, competitive pricing, quality standards, and timely availability to meet customer expectations and business targets.

Category Management

• Develop and manage the Fresh category assortment in line with customer demand and market trends.
• Ensure optimal product mix, availability, and quality across all stores.
• Conduct regular competitor analysis, pricing checks, and market visits.

Vendor Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard reliable suppliers and farmers.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure consistent supply, quality, and compliance.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, margins, and volume agreements.

Procurement & Inventory

• Monitor stock levels, wastage, and shelf-life to minimize shrinkage.
• Ensure timely procurement based on demand forecasts and sales data.
• Coordinate with supply chain and warehouse teams to ensure smooth inward and distribution processes.

Fruits & Vegetables

• Ensure daily availability of high-quality fruits and vegetables by coordinating with farmers, aggregators, and suppliers.
• Monitor freshness, grading, pricing, and shelf-life to minimize wastage and shrinkage.
• Conduct regular market price benchmarking and ensure competitive retail pricing.
• Plan assortment, seasonality mapping, and procurement based on demand trends and local preferences.

Dairy

• Oversee procurement and replenishment of milk, curd, cheese, butter, and other dairy products.
• Ensure strict adherence to cold-chain requirements during transportation and in-store handling.
• Track daily movement, expiry dates, and demand trends to reduce returns and spoilage.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery and consistent product quality.

Butchery Management

• Manage the Butchery category, including sourcing and procurement of fresh meat and poultry products.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene, safety, and handling standards as per food safety regulations.
• Maintain strong cold-chain coordination to ensure product freshness and quality.
• Monitor daily yield, wastage, and product flow to optimize margins and reduce shrinkage.
• Develop pricing strategies, promotions, and product assortment for meat and poultry items.
• Work closely with store operations to ensure proper cutting standards, display, and customer service in butchery sections.
• Demonstrate strong motherchild product knowledge (e.g., understanding primary/mother cuts such as beef and how they are further processed into child cuts like T-bone, steak, tenderloin, etc.).

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all Fresh category products adhere to quality and food safety standards.
• Work closely with QA teams for inspections and audits.
• Track supplier performance and resolve quality concerns promptly.

Sales & Performance Tracking

• Track category sales, margins, and profitability.
• Develop and execute promotional plans to drive sales and improve category performance.
• Analyze sales reports and customer insights to strengthen assortment and pricing strategies.

Key Skills

• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in MS Excel.
• Understanding of Fresh category dynamics and perishables handling.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers and fast-paced operations.
• Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Agriculture, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in Retails FMCG and Minimum 5 years in Fresh Category Buying