Boxer Superstores, one of South Africa's fastest-growing discount supermarket retailers and proudly listed on the JSE, is seeking to appoint a high-calibre National Buyer - Perishables to join our Commercial team.
This role is responsible for driving the national category strategy, commercial performance, and supplier partnerships across the Perishables portfolio. The successful candidate will bring strong FMCG buying experience, exceptional commercial acumen, and a proven track record of delivering category growth through strategic sourcing, pricing optimisation, and supplier negotiations.
This is a high-impact commercial role suited to an experienced buyer who can immediately contribute at a national level.
Minimum Requirements
Candidate Profile
We are specifically seeking candidates who demonstrate:
A relevant 3-year degree in Commerce, Supply Chain, or Marketing (advantageous)
Minimum 5 - 8 years' buying experience in FMCG or retail, preferably within food or perishables categories.
Proven experience managing large national categories and supplier portfolios.
Strong commercial negotiation capability with major suppliers and brand owners.
Demonstrated ability to grow category performance through pricing, promotions, and range optimisation.
Excellent analytical and financial acumen, with strong experience interpreting sales, margin and category data.
Advanced Excel capability and experience working within ERP systems (SAP advantageous).
Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to operate in a fast-paced national retail environment.
"This role requires an experienced national buyer who is already operating at scale within FMCG retail. The position is not suited to candidates requiring developmental training."
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Commercial Performance
Develop and execute national category strategies across the Perishables portfolio.
Deliver against sales, gross profit, and margin targets through effective category planning and commercial execution.
Analyse category performance using sales data, margin trends, competitor intelligence, and shopper insights.
Supplier Management & Negotiation
Lead commercial negotiations with national and international FMCG suppliers.
Secure competitive trading terms, promotional funding, and supplier investment.
Build strong partnerships with key suppliers to drive category innovation and growth.
Pricing, Promotions & Range Strategy
Develop pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness while protecting margins.
Manage promotional planning and deal cycles, ensuring effective in-store execution.
Lead range reviews, product launches, innovation pipelines, and delisting strategies.
Operational & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with supply chain, replenishment, and DC teams to ensure product availability and accurate forecasting.
Partner with marketing to deliver impactful campaigns and promotional activations.
Ensure all pricing, deals, and listings are accurately maintained across SAP and internal systems.
What Sets This Role Apart
This role sits at the centre of Boxer's national commercial strategy and provides the opportunity to:
Drive category growth across one of South Africa's fastest-growing retailers
Work with leading FMCG suppliers and brands
Shape the future assortment and pricing strategy across our national store network
Deadline:23rd March,2026