Senior Buyer - Sports

Role Summary

The role holder is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end buying process across the assigned Sports business unit, ensuring that product selections reflect market trends, consumer preferences, and the company’s strategic objectives. The position focuses on sourcing, selecting, and negotiating with suppliers to secure high-quality, commercially viable products at competitive prices while optimizing profitability and enhancing customer satisfaction. The Senior Buyer works closely with the Category Manager and cross-functional teams, leveraging tools such as SAP and Power BI to drive informed decisions and strengthen the company’s position in retail sports.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the product selection and procurement process for assigned categories, building assortments that resonate with target consumers and support brand positioning.

• Conduct market and competitor research, analyzing consumer behavior and emerging trends to identify new opportunities and gaps in the range.

• Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers and vendors, including cost prices, payment terms, rebates, and delivery conditions, to maximize margin and value.

• Manage purchase order placement, tracking, and follow-up to ensure on-time, in-full deliveries in alignment with seasonal calendars and promotional plans.

• Use SAP, Power BI, and other tools to analyze sales, stock, and purchasing data, monitor inventory levels, and forecast future requirements.

• Work with Merchandising, Allocation, and Logistics teams to ensure smooth product flow, resolve supply chain challenges, and maintain healthy stock levels.

• Monitor purchasing performance against budgets and financial targets, recommending actions such as rebuys, cancellations, rephasing, or markdown support.

• Assess supplier performance regularly, maintaining strong relationships and driving continuous improvement in quality, service, and commercial terms.

• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, documentation standards, and ethical guidelines, preparing clear and accurate reports for leadership.

• Provide subject-matter expertise and guidance to Buyers and Assistant Buyers, supporting their development and contributing to best-practice ways of working.

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure favorable commercial terms

• Excellent analytical abilities; comfortable working with data in SAP, Power BI, and Excel to support buying decisions.

• Solid understanding of retail buying cycles, assortment planning, and inventory management.

• Organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple brands, seasons, and suppliers under pressure.

Experience / Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or in Supply Chain Management. Master’s degree is advantageous

• Proficiency in SAP and Power BI. Certification in Procurement.

• 5 years in procurement. 3 years in retail buying.

• Experience with inventory management.

• SAP ERP knowledge required.

• Experience in sports retail.