Buying & Merchandizing Manager at LATC Group

LATC is a proprietary investment firm committed to delivering strategic, high - quality services across multiple sectors such as Agriculture, Marine Logistics, Retail Franchising and Real Estate. Our mission is to create lasting impact in the communities where w e operate by building socially responsible businesses that are partners of choice in their industries.

LATC has secured a strategic retail partnership to represent a premium consumer electronics brand in Nigeria. As part of this partnership, LATC will establish flagship physical and online stores that serve as the definitive expression of the brand in the Nigerian market, offering authentic products and the brand's signature customer experience.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Buying & Merchandizing Manager

Location: Lagos

Job Objective

• The Buying & Merchandising Manager is the commercial engine behind inventory precision, converting demand signals and brand priorities into the right stock, at the right time, in the right quantities.
• The role safeguards sales by preventing stockouts, protects cash by controlling excess inventory, and drives profitability through accurate demand forecasting, efficient inventory turns, and strong supplier partnerships .

Roles and Responsibilities
Demand Planning & Forecasting (Commercial Intelligence):

• Develop SKU (Store Keeping Unit) and category -level demand forecasts using sales history, seasonality, marketing calendars, product launches, new store openings, and market  intelligence.
• Partner with Marketing & Branding to align inventory availability with campaign timing and anticipated demand spikes.
• Collaborate with Retail Operations to incorporate store -level selling patterns into forecast adjustments.
• Maintain dynamic forecasting models that continuously recalibrate based on actual sales versus plan.

Procurement & Supplier Management (Supply Chain Excellence):

• Own the primary procurement relationship with value - added distributors for brand principal products, including demand - driven purchase ordering, commercial term negotiation, delivery scheduling, and compliance with brand policies.
• Develop and manage OEM and third -party suppliers for accessories and complementary products, ensuring authorized sourcing, consistent quality, and full compatibility with brand standards.
• Track supplier performance through scorecards, covering on -time delivery, product quality, pricing competitiveness, and responsiveness.
• Optimize procurement timing to leverage distributor incentives, protect margins, and minimize obsolescence risk.

Inventory Management & Working Capital Optimization (Financial Discipline):

• Own inventory accuracy across stores and e - commerce, driving accuracy through cycle counts, audits, and rapid resolution of variances.
• Control stock levels and replenishment by SKU and location, setting min/max levels, reorder points, and safety stock to balance availability with working capital efficiency.
• Optimize inventory productivity, improving turns and days of inventory to strengthen cash flow and reduce holding costs.
• Actively manage slow -moving and obsolete stock, executing clearance, bundling, and promotional strategies, and pursuing supplier returns where feasible.
• Partner with Finance to manage inventory valuation, working capital forecasting, and margin analysis by category.

Product Assortment & Merchandizing Strategy (Commercial Optimization):

• Define and own the product assortment strategy, aligned to brand launch priorities, Nigerian market dynamics, store formats, and competitive positioning.
• Analyse product performance using sales velocity by SKU , margins, attachment rates, and customer insights to guide range decisions.
• Drive SKU rationalization, introducing new products, exiting underperformers, and optimizing depth to improve profitability and stock efficiency.
• Collaborate with Finance and Marketing to shape pricing and promotional strategies, including elasticity -based price adjustments, bundles, and promotion planning backed by inventory readiness.

Cross - Functional Collaboration & Alignment (Ecosystem Integration):

• Partner with Marketing & Branding to align inventory availability with campaign timing, support new product launches, and provide demand visibility for effective planning.
• Collaborate with Retail Operations to share sales and stock insights, support inventory redistribution planning , and enable store teams with strong product knowledge and selling focus.
• Work closely with Finance to manage inventory valuation, working capital forecasting, and category - level margin analysis.
• Partner with HR to build Buying & Merchandising capability through targeted skills development and cross -functional training.

Systems & Analytics (Data -Driven Decision Making):

• Oversee effective use of inventory management systems (IMS), ensuring accurate stock visibility, seamless integration with POS/e - commerce, and alignment with procurement and forecasting processes.
• Develop clear, actionable dashboards and reports covering stock position by SKU/location, sales trends, forecast accuracy, inventory turns, days of inventory, stockouts, and slow -moving stock alerts.
• Leverage data and analytics to enhance forecasting accuracy, optimize inventory, and support commercial outcomes within the buying and merchandising function.

Team Leadership & Capability Building (Operational Excellence):

• Build and lead a high -performing Buying & Merchandising team, spanning procurement, inventory control, and merchandising analytics.
• Establish clear SOPs and governance across demand forecasting, purchase approvals, inventory counting and reconciliation, and product receiving and quality checks.
• Embed a culture of accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement across all buying and inventory activities.
• Coach and develop the team to strengthen analytical rigor, commercial judgment, and data -driven decision -making.

Reporting Relationships
Internal Interfaces

• Reports to:
  • Chief Executive Officer
• External Interfaces:
  • Value -Added Distributor (Procurement Team)
  • Brand Principal (Product Team)
  • Third -Party OEM Suppliers
  • Logistics Partners
• Direct Reports:
  • Purchasing Manager
  • Inventory Manager
  • Merchandising Specialist
• Other Internal Relationships:
  • Finance
  • Supply Chain
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Retail Operations

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Economics / Finance, Engineering or other numerate disciplines
• Professional qualification APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) , Six Sigma (Green Belt or above), Project Management: PMP, PRINCE2 is an added advantage

Experience (What You Have Done):

• 8–12+ years’ buying, merchandising, or supply chain roles, with premium retail or consumer electronics experience.
• Experience in Premium retail (consumer electronics, fashion, luxury goods), multi - channel retail (physical stores and e - commerce), Demand planning and forecasting in fast -moving product categories, Distributor and supplier management in emerging markets, W orking capital management and inventory optimization
• Proven in driving ≥98% inventory accuracy, optimizing stock turns and working capital, managing suppliers, and leveraging forecasting and analytics for commercial impact.

Knowledge (What You Must Know):

• Retail buying & merchandising for premium products
• Demand planning & forecasting using statistical models and trend analysis
• Inventory management (safety stock, reorder points, EOQ)
• Supply chain management in emerging markets (lead times, logistics, customs)
• Working capital optimization and inventory cash flow impact
• Nigerian retail market insights and consumer behaviour
• Inventory management systems & ERP platforms

Skills (What You Must Be Able to Do)

• Analytical Rigor: Build forecasting models, interpret sales data, and make data - driven inventory decisions
• Commercial Judgment: Balance inventory availability with working capital efficiency
• Supplier Negotiation: Secure favorable commercial terms while maintaining strong partnerships
• Cross - Functional Collaboration: Work effectively with Marketing, Retail Operations, and Finance teams
• Systems Thinking: Implement and optimize inventory management systems and processes
• Problem Solving: Quickly resolve supply disruptions, stockout risks, and inventory discrepancies

Abilities (How You Think & Operate):

• Ability to think strategically while executing tactically
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong bias for action and urgency
• Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change in dynamic retail environments
• Results -oriented mindset - inventory decisions directly impact revenue and cash flow
• Willingness to be hands -on when necessar y - not just delegating but doing

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online