Manager - Purchasing

CLIENT: RETAIL/ SUPERMARKET

POSITION: MANAGER – PURCHASING

PACKAGE: LKR 250,000 – 300,000 Gross + Company Maintained Vehicle + Fuel Allowance

LOCATION: WEEDIYAWATTA (GAMPAHA)

OVERVIEW We are looking for an experienced Manager – Purchasing to lead purchasing across the retail supermarket network. The role focuses on sourcing products at the right quality, cost, and commercial terms, managing supplier relationships, buying plans, product assortment, and purchasing controls to support product availability, margins, and store expansion. You will report directly to the COO.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop purchasing priorities and buying plans aligned with supermarket sales, margins, stock requirements, and expansion plans.
• Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers on pricing, quality, credit, rebates, delivery schedules, and service terms.
• Manage product assortment and category buying based on customer demand, market trends, and individual store needs.
• Plan purchases and supplier deliveries to maintain product availability while minimizing stock-outs, excess inventory, and slow-moving stock.
• Manage purchase costs, supplier rebates, and commercial terms to strengthen margins and optimize inventory investment and working capital.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery, quality, and responsiveness; address service issues and protect continuity of supply.
• Ensure purchasing from approved suppliers and adherence to food safety, quality, regulatory, documentation, and approval requirements.
• Coordinate promotional purchases, seasonal requirements, and opening stock for new supermarkets and campaigns.
• Use ERP/POS data and purchasing reports to improve order accuracy, inventory visibility, and purchasing decisions.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify growth opportunities and maintain an advantage in product categories and availability.

PRE-REQUISITES

• Degree or professional qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Management, Commerce, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or buying, including 2–3 years in a managerial or team-lead role.
• Experience working in a Supermarket Chain is mandatory.
• Strong expertise in supplier sourcing, evaluation, negotiations, purchasing, category buying, and commercial terms.
• Sound understanding of inventory and replenishment planning, margins, working capital, vendor performance, and procurement controls.
• Strong Excel skills and working knowledge of ERP, purchasing/inventory, and POS systems.
• Ability to analyze sales, pricing, stock, and supplier data to make commercial decisions and identify risks and opportunities.
• Strong English communication, negotiation, and presentation skills; Sinhala and/or Tamil skills for supplier and store engagement.