Jobloria
Category Buyer
Ilocatum
Location : Dallas, TX, 75201
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 1 December 2025
Dallas, TX
iLocatum
Dallas, TX
Category BuyerAbout the Position:
The Category Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing the store’s product categories
to ensure the availability of high-quality items at competitive prices. This role involves analyzing market
trends, supplier relationships, inventory levels, and customer demand to make strategic purchasing
decisions that support the overall retail business strategy. The Category Buyer plays a key role in ensuring
the store’s shelves are stocked with the right products at the right time, and at the right price.
Key Responsibilities:
• Product Sourcing & Procurement:
o Identify, source, and select suppliers for product categories based on quality, price, and
supply chain reliability.
o Negotiate prices, terms, and contracts with suppliers to maximize cost-effectiveness
while maintaining product quality.
o Place and manage orders, ensuring that stock levels align with demand forecasts and
sales trends.
• Category Management:
o Manage and oversee the assigned product category, ensuring a diverse and competitive
range of products that meet customer needs.
o Conduct regular analysis of sales data, customer trends, and market conditions to
optimize product selection and assortment.
o Monitor product performance and recommend adjustments to pricing, promotions, or
product offerings.
• Supplier Relationships:
o Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure high service levels,
timely deliveries, and resolution of any supply issues.
o Work closely with suppliers to develop exclusive or private-label products, where
applicable.
o Regularly communicate with suppliers to stay informed about new products, pricing
changes, and promotional opportunities.
• Inventory & Stock Control:
o Monitor stock levels and sales trends to ensure optimal inventory turnover and prevent
stockouts or overstock situations.
o Collaborate with the store operations team and inventory control to ensure product
availability while minimizing waste, especially for perishable goods.
• Pricing & Cost Management:
o Develop and implement pricing strategies that align with market conditions and
profitability goals.
o Regularly review cost structures and identify opportunities for cost savings through bulk
purchasing, discounts, or alternative suppliers.
• Promotions & Marketing:
o Work closely with the marketing team to plan and execute promotional strategies and
sales campaigns that drive category growth.
o Support the launch of new products, seasonal items, or limited-time offers by
collaborating with the marketing and store teams.
• Market Analysis & Trend Identification:
o Continuously monitor market trends, competitor offerings, and consumer preferences to
ensure that the supermarket’s product range remains competitive.
o Conduct competitor analysis and gather customer feedback to inform purchasing
decisions and adjust product offerings accordingly.
• Reporting & Budget Management:
o Prepare regular reports on category performance, sales trends, and supplier
performance for management review.
o Help manage and adhere to the purchasing budget, ensuring that costs remain within
target while meeting business objectives.
• Cross-Department Collaboration:
o Work closely with other departments such as marketing, store operations, logistics, and
finance to ensure smooth product flows and alignment with business goals.
o Participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss product assortment, promotions, and
sales performance.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Retail, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in buying, procurement, or category management within a retail or
supermarket environment.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships.
• In-depth knowledge of retail buying processes, inventory management, and pricing strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with
internal teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and experience using inventory
management or procurement software.
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods of time.
• Occasional walking or standing during store visits and supplier meetings.
The Category Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing the store’s product categories
to ensure the availability of high-quality items at competitive prices. This role involves analyzing market
trends, supplier relationships, inventory levels, and customer demand to make strategic purchasing
decisions that support the overall retail business strategy. The Category Buyer plays a key role in ensuring
the store’s shelves are stocked with the right products at the right time, and at the right price.
Key Responsibilities:
• Product Sourcing & Procurement:
o Identify, source, and select suppliers for product categories based on quality, price, and
supply chain reliability.
o Negotiate prices, terms, and contracts with suppliers to maximize cost-effectiveness
while maintaining product quality.
o Place and manage orders, ensuring that stock levels align with demand forecasts and
sales trends.
• Category Management:
o Manage and oversee the assigned product category, ensuring a diverse and competitive
range of products that meet customer needs.
o Conduct regular analysis of sales data, customer trends, and market conditions to
optimize product selection and assortment.
o Monitor product performance and recommend adjustments to pricing, promotions, or
product offerings.
• Supplier Relationships:
o Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure high service levels,
timely deliveries, and resolution of any supply issues.
o Work closely with suppliers to develop exclusive or private-label products, where
applicable.
o Regularly communicate with suppliers to stay informed about new products, pricing
changes, and promotional opportunities.
• Inventory & Stock Control:
o Monitor stock levels and sales trends to ensure optimal inventory turnover and prevent
stockouts or overstock situations.
o Collaborate with the store operations team and inventory control to ensure product
availability while minimizing waste, especially for perishable goods.
• Pricing & Cost Management:
o Develop and implement pricing strategies that align with market conditions and
profitability goals.
o Regularly review cost structures and identify opportunities for cost savings through bulk
purchasing, discounts, or alternative suppliers.
• Promotions & Marketing:
o Work closely with the marketing team to plan and execute promotional strategies and
sales campaigns that drive category growth.
o Support the launch of new products, seasonal items, or limited-time offers by
collaborating with the marketing and store teams.
• Market Analysis & Trend Identification:
o Continuously monitor market trends, competitor offerings, and consumer preferences to
ensure that the supermarket’s product range remains competitive.
o Conduct competitor analysis and gather customer feedback to inform purchasing
decisions and adjust product offerings accordingly.
• Reporting & Budget Management:
o Prepare regular reports on category performance, sales trends, and supplier
performance for management review.
o Help manage and adhere to the purchasing budget, ensuring that costs remain within
target while meeting business objectives.
• Cross-Department Collaboration:
o Work closely with other departments such as marketing, store operations, logistics, and
finance to ensure smooth product flows and alignment with business goals.
o Participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss product assortment, promotions, and
sales performance.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Retail, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in buying, procurement, or category management within a retail or
supermarket environment.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships.
• In-depth knowledge of retail buying processes, inventory management, and pricing strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with
internal teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and experience using inventory
management or procurement software.
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods of time.
• Occasional walking or standing during store visits and supplier meetings.
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Freqently Asked Questions
Category Buyers in Dallas tailor their sourcing by analyzing regional consumer preferences and supplier networks. This approach ensures product assortments meet local demand while leveraging Dallas’s diverse supplier base to negotiate competitive prices and maintain stock levels aligned with market fluctuations.
Career progression for Category Buyers in Dallas often moves toward senior buying or category management roles, with increased responsibility for strategic planning, supplier partnerships, and cross-department leadership. Local market growth in Dallas retail offers opportunities to specialize in high-demand categories or expand into merchandising.
Proficiency in data analysis, negotiation, and supplier relationship management distinguishes top Category Buyers in Dallas. Familiarity with regional supply chains and the ability to anticipate market shifts allow them to optimize inventory, reduce costs, and drive category profitability effectively.
Ilocatum emphasizes strategic supplier collaborations and data-driven category management, blending traditional procurement with innovative market analysis. Their focus on exclusive product lines and close marketing integration sets them apart in Dallas’s competitive retail landscape.
At Ilocatum, Category Buyers navigate dynamic supplier negotiations and seasonal product launches within a complex retail setting. Balancing cost-efficiency with quality standards amid Dallas’s fast-paced market demands requires adaptive inventory strategies and strong cross-functional coordination.
Category Buyers in Dallas generally earn between $55,000 and $75,000 annually, reflecting experience and category complexity. Competitive pay aligns with retail sector standards, with additional incentives possible based on procurement success and supplier relationship management.
Certifications like Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) are highly regarded in Dallas. These credentials demonstrate expertise in procurement best practices and can improve hiring competitiveness for Category Buyers.
Dallas features a vibrant retail sector with strong competition and diverse consumer demand. Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced environment, emphasizing agility in inventory management and supplier negotiations tailored to local economic conditions.
Dallas’s position as a logistics hub means Category Buyers must efficiently coordinate with suppliers to manage lead times and inventory turnover. Navigating regional transportation variables and supplier reliability directly impacts product availability and cost control.
A frequent misunderstanding is that Category Buyers only place orders; however, at Ilocatum, they actively analyze market trends, negotiate contracts, and collaborate across departments. Their role is strategic, focusing on profitability and customer satisfaction rather than just procurement.
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