1. Sourcing & Vendor Management Research and identify new vendors, manufacturers, and distributors to expand product variety and secure better trade margins. Evaluate and onboard suppliers based on criteria like product freshness, cost, credit terms, and delivery reliability. Maintain strong, long-term relationships with existing suppliers to ensure smooth communication and priority restocking.
2. Negotiation & Cost Control Negotiate competitive commercial terms, bulk volume discounts, schemes, and favorable payment/credit cycles with vendors. Analyze market trends and pricing fluctuations to ensure the company procures goods at the lowest total cost without compromising on quality. Handle supplier disputes regarding damaged stock, delivery shortages, or billing mismatches, and process Material Rejection Reports (MRR) for credits.
3. Order Processing & Supply Chain Coordination Raise, review, and process computerized Purchase Orders (POs) accurately using internal retail databases or ERP software. Track pending shipments and coordinate closely with logistics and warehouse teams to ensure on-time delivery of stock. Monitor incoming delivery challans and verify that the physical quantities and item rates perfectly match the approved POs.
4. Inventory Management & Shelf Availability Analyze store-level inventory levels and sales data to forecast future stock requirements. Define optimal re-order points for high-demand SKUs to avoid stock-outs or over-stocking. Identify slow-moving or close-to-expiry inventory and collaborate with the sales/marketing team to plan promotional clearances.