Food buyer: Alan de Waal

A food buyer is responsible for planning and selecting a range of products to sell in retail outlets. The buyer must consider customer demand, market trends and budgets when making decisions.

“My job is to negotiate the best cost prices for a product as well as to ensure that I get the best price for promotional items,” says Alan de Waal, food buyer at the Shoprite.

“I started as a branch manager and always wanted to get into the business of actually doing the buying myself. As Shoprite, we have a lot of buying power which we can use to get the best cost prices on products,” he says.

One of the main goals of a food buyer is to buy products such as to ensure constant growth in sales. The objectives are to ensure optimal stock levels and to grow sales, to negotiate trading terms for new suppliers and to effectively manage subordinates and interact with all relevant departments.

One of his highlights is knowing that his work adds value to the lives of customers by ensuring that the products are the best quality and value for money. “It is also wonderful to see how customers engage with our products when we have promotions,” he says.



Pull Quote:



“It is wonderful to see how customers engage with our products when we have promotions”





A food buyer should:



· Be able to think on his/her feet when difficult situations arise.

· Have an eye for a good deal.

· Know what the needs and desires of customers are.