Associate Buyer-Chinese Retailer Company

Please send resume to: grace@gc-employment.com with the subject “Associate Buyer/Senior Trader for a Leading Grocery Retailer in China Market (Toronto)”. Please note that incorrect subject won't be read by our recruiters. Company Overview Our client is a leading Chinese retailer headquartered in Beijing, with over twenty years of experience managing multiple banners and store formats, and one of the largest 15 retail enterprises in the People’s Republic of China. Our client operates over 80 stores in 35 cities in the supermarket, gourmet foods, and department store formats, providing high quality products with a drive for customer satisfaction. Our client is a publicly listed company on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. Their customers are the heart of our business. Their culture is based on a commitment to quality, and effective collaboration between colleagues. They are dedicated to continuous innovation. Position Overview The Associate Buyer will support strategies and activities aligned with the merchandising strategy, acting as the central point of contact between Canada and headquarters in China. The function is to source, procure and buy products from Canadian food suppliers and sell them to Mainland China. Key Responsibilities • Prepare and execute customs documents • Act as single point-of-contact for supplier questions • Complete commercial tabulations with recommendations • Negotiate commercial conditions with suppliers within budgetary limits and scope of authority to improve delivery, cost, etc. • Interface with suppliers to identify ideas or methods to improve the delivery schedule and to provide the best overall total value • Inform and/or interface with distribution for the timely submittal of key information or documentation • Initiate quality review of Purchase Orders and Commercial Documents to ensure the highest level of quality and compliance of all department procedures and guidelines. • Maintain the highest level of ethical and professional standards of conduct as established by the organization. • Efficient utilize company systems, tools and spreadsheets to prepare purchasing reports on a regular and ad-hoc basis Required Qualifications and Experience • University degree or college diploma in Business Administration or related discipline is required. • 5 - 7 years managerial procurement and buying experience in a grocery retail environment (including grocery, produce, consumer goods, cosmetics etc) • Certification or enrollment in APICS or PMAC is an asset • Knowledgeable about customs and logistics for shipment to China • Good knowledge of Commodity/ Financial Markets in order to make sourcing and contractual decisions. • Experience in auditing/ qualifying suppliers • Strong understanding of customs requirements • Strong leadership, training, interpersonal and negotiating skills • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment • Proficient in Microsoft Office; emphasis on the ability to manipulate data using Excel • Efficient organizational, analytical, multitasking and prioritization skills • Bilingual (English/Mandarin) • Multitasking, hands-on and initiative • International experience, especially within Asia, is preferred Location: Toronto Compensation: 100K+