Buying Manager

The Buying Manager is responsible for developing and executing category buying strategies to drive sales, margin, and market leadership for Muscat Duty Free. The role focuses on strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, assortment planning, and ensuring the right product mix aligned with customer preferences and commercial objectives. The Buying Manager plays a key role in delivering profitability, optimizing inventory, and building strong supplier partnerships in the travel retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for growth and differentiation.
• Deliver annual sales and margin budgets.
• Ensure effective pricing strategies to achieve target margins.
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and passenger data to identify opportunities.
• Secure latest collections and innovations ahead of the local market.
• Regularly review sales and margin performance and take corrective actions.
• Maintain strong presence on the shop floor to monitor execution and customer response.
• Coordinate with warehouse on replenishment and stock accuracy.
• Conduct range and product performance reviews.
• Introducing new brands and ranges to strengthen the category mix.
• Ensure visual merchandising complies with brand guidelines.
• Maximize revenue through supplier activations and space rental.
• Ensure suppliers provide training, displays, and marketing support.
• Manage inventory within budgeted stock days.
• Optimize stock turnover while minimizing aging and overstock.
• Ensure product compliance (quality, packaging, labeling, expiry).
• Review item master changes for financial impact.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Negotiate pricing, credit terms, delivery, and promotional support.
• Secure exclusives and margin support.
• Ensure legal and internal compliance.
• Maintain confidentiality of supplier and company data.
• Verify purchase documentation accuracy.
• Prepare monthly performance reports.
• Review Beauty Advisor and team performance.
• Drive continuous improvements in processes and customer experience.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong commercial and negotiation skills
• Analytical and data-driven decision making
• Knowledge of retail and travel retail trends
• Supplier relationship management
• Financial acumen (margin, pricing, budgeting)
• Inventory planning and forecasting
• Communication and leadership skills
• Attention to detail and compliance awareness

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or related field
• 2+ years’ experience in buying/merchandising (preferably travel retail/FMCG/luxury)
• Proven track record of delivering sales and margin targets
• Experience managing international and local suppliers