Category Buyer, Vietnamese Market

As a Category Buyer for the Vietnamese Market at Weee!, you will be responsible for executing merchandising strategies to maximize sales and profitability. This includes sourcing and curating the Vietnamese product assortment, conducting market research, and building strong vendor relationships to secure optimal pricing and product support. You will work closely with supply chain teams to ensure product availability and also collaborate with marketing teams to implement effective promotional campaigns.

To qualify for the Category Buyer position at Weee!, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field with at least one year of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in a similar field. Experience in the retail industry and knowledge of market research and data analysis are advantageous. Fluency in both Vietnamese and English is required, along with a passion for food and a deep understanding of Vietnamese culture.

The Category Buyer plays a significant role in Weee!'s growth by implementing merchandising strategies that drive sales and enhance profitability in the Vietnamese category. By curating a competitive assortment of products, analyzing market trends, and optimizing vendor relationships, the Category Buyer helps expand market share and ultimately contributes to Weee!’s overall success. Their efforts in securing optimal supply and collaborating on marketing initiatives are essential to achieving business objectives.

A typical day for a Category Buyer at Weee! involves a mix of market analysis, vendor negotiations, and team collaboration. You might start your day by reviewing sales reports, followed by conducting market research to identify trends in the Vietnamese food sector. Throughout the day, you'll engage with vendors to negotiate prices and product availability while coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure promotions are executed effectively. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to optimize product assortments and drive sales.

Weee! offers a comprehensive benefits package for the Category Buyer position, including health insurance, 401k with company match, equity options, and a monthly mobile stipend. Additionally, employees enjoy vacation, sick leave, and holiday time off, encouraging a healthy work-life balance. The competitive compensation range for the role reflects Weee!’s commitment to attracting top talent and is coupled with the potential for bonuses and incentives, aligning with the company's growth trajectory.

Begin by conducting thorough market research to understand customer preferences and identify key suppliers. Establish relationships with vendors that specialize in Vietnamese products, and leverage your understanding of cultural nuances to curate an appealing assortment. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies for negotiating pricing and fulfillment options during your interview.

Discuss any previous experience you have with inventory management tools or processes, emphasizing your ability to prevent out-of-stock situations and ensure timely product availability. Be ready to provide examples of how you've utilized data analysis to monitor inventory levels and make informed purchasing decisions.

Focus on building strong, collaborative partnerships with your vendors by understanding their needs and challenges. Communication is key; regularly check in to discuss performance, new products, and opportunities for growth. Share success stories and be transparent about your goals to foster a mutually beneficial relationship.

Explain your methods for staying updated, such as regularly reading industry publications, subscribing to relevant newsletters, and utilizing social media platforms like LinkedIn. Mention any specific websites or resources where you gather insights on food trends, competitor strategies, and consumer preferences.

Share your passion for Vietnamese culture and explain how it influences consumer behavior and product preferences in the market. Highlight how this understanding can aid in creating effective merchandising strategies and selecting products that resonate with customers, thus driving sales and loyalty.

Discuss the importance of open communication and proactively addressing issues by having contingency plans in place. Emphasize the need to collaborate with the vendor to resolve any obstacles and ensure a consistent product supply, while also working with internal teams to mitigate impacts on sales.

Talk about your familiarity with analyzing sales data using spreadsheets or business intelligence tools. Discuss how you would track key performance indicators like sales volume, margins, and inventory turnover, and how you'd leverage this data to adjust strategies and optimize product assortments.

Share a specific case where you collaborated with marketing teams to create a promotional campaign. Detail the objectives, your role in the planning process, the execution, and how you measured its success. Highlight any adjustments made based on data and customer feedback.

Discuss your approach to time management and prioritization by using tools like task lists or project management software. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully balanced competing deadlines and responsibilities in past roles, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and staying organized.

Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to connect consumers with exciting ethnic foods while contributing to the growth of a dynamic company like Weee!. Discuss your passion for the food industry and how this role aligns perfectly with your skills and interests.