A fast-growing retail company in Malawi is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following vacant positions in the Operations and Finance Departments.

1. VISUAL MERCHANDIZER / CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Reporting to: Group Operations Manager
Location: Blantyre

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a dynamic and commercially driven candidate to lead visual merchandising and category management activities across the Company’s retail operations. The Visual Merchandizer / Category Management Officer will be responsible for optimising product presentation, category layouts, product availability, pricing, promotions, and display space to drive sales, improve customer experience, strengthen margins, and maximise stock performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Visual Merchandising & Store Standards

• Develop and execute store display plans, planograms, and merchandising standards.
• Ensure shelves, promotional areas, displays, and end caps are attractive, well-organised, and customer-friendly.
• Ensure products are correctly faced, grouped, labelled, and price-marked.
• Maintain clear and accurate signage for promotions, new products, and special offers.
• Ensure displays are aligned with Company standards, seasonal campaigns, and promotional calendars.
• Monitor merchandising standards across stores and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure fast-moving and high-margin products receive appropriate display space.
• Work with store teams to ensure timely replenishment and maintenance of displays.

Category Management & Commercial Growth

• Analyse sales, stock movement, margins, and customer demand across assigned categories.
• Recommend product ranges, new products, discontinued lines, and promotional opportunities.
• Review product performance and recommend changes to shelf allocation and display space.
• Ensure category layouts reflect customer shopping patterns and product relationships.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales, margins, stock turnover, and customer engagement.

Stock & Supplier Management

• Monitor product availability and work with buyers and stores to minimise stock-outs and excess stock.
• Work with suppliers on promotional displays, category plans, product launches, and campaigns.
• Monitor supplier execution of agreed merchandising activities.
• Collaborate with buying, warehouse, and store teams to improve product availability.

Market & Competitor Analysis

• Monitor competitor pricing, promotions, product ranges, and merchandising practices.
• Identify market trends and customer preferences that may influence category performance.
• Recommend opportunities for new products, promotions, and improvements in product presentation.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Monitor category and merchandising performance across stores.
• Prepare regular category performance reports and management presentations.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve sales, margins, stock performance, and customer experience.

Qualification and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Retail Management, Business Management, Merchandising, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in retail merchandising, category management, sales, or store operations.
• Proven experience in visual merchandising, planogram development, category management, and promotional execution.
• Experience analysing sales, stock, pricing, margins, and customer demand.
• Experience with retail, inventory, POS, or sales reporting systems is an advantage.

2. LEAD BUYER

Reporting to: Group Operations Manager
Location: Blantyre

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Lead Buyer to drive the Company’s buying function. The Lead Buyer will be responsible for developing buying strategies, sourcing products, negotiating with suppliers, managing product availability, and ensuring purchasing decisions deliver competitive pricing, quality, profitability, and customer value.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Buying Strategy & Commercial Planning

• Develop and execute buying plans aligned with sales targets, customer demand, stock requirements, and business objectives.
• Analyse sales trends, stock levels, margins, and market conditions to inform buying decisions.
• Identify new product opportunities based on customer needs, market trends, and competitor activity.
• Ensure buying decisions support sales growth, profitability, and effective stock management.

Supplier Sourcing & Negotiation

• Source and evaluate reliable suppliers and negotiate competitive prices, payment terms, delivery schedules, and quality standards.
• Develop and maintain strong strategic supplier relationships.
• Negotiate improved commercial terms and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues relating to pricing, shortages, damages, returns, and delayed deliveries.

Purchase & Inventory Management

• Prepare, review, and approve purchase orders in line with delegated authority and Company procedures.
• Ensure products are purchased at competitive prices while maintaining required quality and profitability.
• Monitor stock availability and work with stores, warehouses, and merchandising teams to minimise stock-outs and overstocking.
• Review product performance and recommend range changes where required.

Market & Product Development

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, customer preferences, and product developments.
• Identify opportunities for new products, alternative suppliers, and improved product ranges.
• Work closely with merchandising teams to optimise product assortment and category performance.

Procurement Governance & Reporting

• Ensure all purchases comply with Company policies, approved budgets, supplier procedures, and delegated authority.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier files, pricing information, and procurement reports.
• Prepare reports on purchasing performance, supplier performance, cost savings, stock status, and key procurement risks.
• Coach and guide junior buyers or procurement staff where applicable.

Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement, Purchasing and Supply, Business Management, Retail Management, or a related field.
• Professional procurement qualification is an added advantage.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in buying, procurement, merchandising, or supply chain operations, preferably in retail or FMCG.
• Proven experience in supplier sourcing, negotiation, commercial buying, and purchase order management.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management, pricing, margins, and product sourcing.
• Experience using ERP, retail, or inventory management systems.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

3. MERCHANDISE ANALYST

Reporting to: Lead Buyer
Dotted-line Reporting to: Visual Merchandizer / Category Management Officer
Location: Blantyre

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Merchandise Analyst to provide data-driven insights that support buying, merchandising, stock, pricing, and commercial decisions. The role will analyse sales, stock, margins, pricing, promotions, and product performance to identify opportunities to improve sales, profitability, product availability, and stock efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales & Merchandise Analysis

• Analyse daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance by store, department, category, and product.
• Monitor sales trends, product performance, stock turnover, and profitability.
• Identify high-performing and underperforming products and categories.
• Provide actionable insights to support buying and merchandising decisions.

Stock & Inventory Analysis

• Monitor stock levels, stock movement, stock-outs, overstocking, slow-moving products, and expired products.
• Analyse stock turnover and identify opportunities to improve inventory efficiency.
• Support stock-take analysis, variance investigations, and shrinkage-control reporting.
• Recommend stock transfers, markdowns, promotions, or discontinuation where appropriate.

Pricing, Margin & Promotion Analysis

• Monitor selling prices, cost prices, mark-ups, and margins.
• Identify pricing errors, margin risks, and opportunities for improved profitability.
• Analyse the effectiveness of promotions, discounts, and special offers.
• Recommend improvements to promotional strategies based on performance data.

Buying & Forecasting Support

• Support buyers and merchandising teams with demand forecasts, range reviews, and purchasing recommendations.
• Provide insights into customer demand and product trends.
• Highlight potential stock risks and opportunities for new products or range adjustments.

Market & Competitor Analysis

• Monitor competitor pricing, promotions, product ranges, and market trends.
• Analyse competitor activity and provide insights to support commercial decisions.

Reporting & Business Intelligence

• Develop accurate and timely sales, stock, pricing, margin, and merchandising reports.
• Maintain dashboards and merchandising databases.
• Prepare presentations and recommendations for Management.
• Ensure all information is accurate, confidential, and compliant with Company policies.

Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Economics, Statistics, Marketing, Retail Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in merchandising analysis, retail operations, category management, buying, finance, or stock control.
• Proven experience in retail sales, stock, pricing, and margin analysis.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience in data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with retail, POS, ERP, or inventory management systems.
• Experience with dashboards, reporting tools, or data visualisation software is an added advantage.

4. CHIEF ACCOUNTANT

Reporting to: Group Head of Finance
Location: Blantyre

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented Chief Accountant to lead and manage the Finance and Accounting function for the Company’s FMCG business units. The Chief Accountant will oversee financial operations, reporting, controls, reconciliations, budgeting, taxation, audit, compliance, and financial risk management while providing strategic financial insight to support business performance and growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership & Management

• Lead and manage the Finance and Accounts team supporting the FMCG business units.
• Provide financial advice, analysis, and recommendations to the Group Head of Finance, Group Operations Manager, and Shop Managers.
• Set performance objectives and KPIs and oversee performance management of Finance and Accounting staff.
• Provide coaching, training, and capacity building to Finance, Accounts, and relevant non-Finance staff.

Financial Planning & Performance

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, projections, and financial performance monitoring.
• Support the development of short-, medium-, and long-term financial objectives for FMCG business units.
• Analyse financial performance and identify risks, trends, and opportunities.
• Provide management with timely and accurate financial information to support decision-making.

Financial Controls & Reconciliations

• Oversee key reconciliations, including inventory, bank and cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, non-current assets, and general ledger accounts.
• Review and approve payment requests in accordance with delegated authority and Company procedures.
• Strengthen financial controls and ensure effective implementation and monitoring.
• Identify control weaknesses and implement appropriate corrective measures.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Oversee financial and management reporting and ensure accurate maintenance of accounting records.
• Ensure taxation matters are accurately, professionally, and timely managed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial, taxation, accounting, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a key point of contact for Finance, Accounting, Reporting, and Audit matters.

Audit & Risk Management

• Coordinate annual statutory audit preparation and ensure timely resolution of audit queries.
• Implement financial best practices and monitor implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.
• Identify financial and operational risks and recommend appropriate controls.
• Support the development, review, and improvement of financial policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Qualification and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, or a related field.
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent, or demonstrable progression towards the qualification.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in a senior Finance or Accounting position.
• Proven experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, reconciliations, taxation, audit, and internal controls.
• Experience leading and developing Finance and Accounting teams.
• Experience using ERP systems, preferably Sage Accounting, and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in FMCG, retail, or multi-site operations is an added advantage.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, risk management, and business partnering skills.