The Buyer plays a critical role in the success of sourcing and selecting merchandise. The Buyers responsibility is to plan, purchase, communicate, and control merchandising, pricing, and marketing strategies for assigned lines of business as required; while maximizing sales & profits and increasing market share for assigned lines of merchandise. Leads and executes the performance and sets strategy for a team in support of the departmental strategy. Provides strategic plans for multiple assigned categories that impact the overall department strategy.
Major Activities
Assortment Planning
- Develops and recommends assortment plans, determining optimal product mix based on category goals, performance, and designated category roles
- Drives a compelling assortment by applying knowledge of the consumer and sense for product
- Develops and makes recommendations based on category history and market share analysis
- Conducts brand and market share competitive analyses, develops insights, and recommends tests
- Leverages private brand development and sourcing opportunities in determining the optimal assortment and executing vendor strategy
Performance Analysis & Category Planning
- Responsible for the achievement of sales and profit plans for their assigned categories
- Creates bottom-up plan by category and reconciles with financial targets
- Conducts brand and market share competitive analyses, develops insights, and recommends tests
- Flexibility in reacting to business results and your ability to translate financial metrics and data into actionable strategies will be critical
- Leads and directs in-season reaction to business
Pricing, Presentation & Promotion
- Maximizes merchandise presentation, develop planograms, and lead a cross-functional team through the complex implementation process
- Optimizes advertising, pricing, and promotion strategies
Vendor Management
- Leads vendors based on consumer and market insights and leverage the partnership to develop the right product
- Leverages vendor partnerships to develop the right product and be able to lead vendors based on consumer and market insights
- Influences and negotiates with vendors to achieve results and identify gaps and opportunities
Inventory Management
- Partners with inventory management to maximize return on inventory investment based on sales plans, category roles, and trends
- Manages inventory levels to support EBITDA objectives and sales objectives
Collaboration & Leadership
- Leads cross-functional teams to drive category results while managing progress toward sales and margin goals
- Provides strong, steady leadership and communication to cross-functional teams
- Provides guidance, mentoring, and support to junior buying staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment
Other duties as assigned
Minimum Education
- College degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Type of Experience the Job Requires
- 6+ years of merchandising experience, exhibiting progressively responsible assignments
- Proven experience as a Retail Buyer or similar role in the retail industry
- Able to successfully lead a category team and drive desired business results
- Advanced strategic and analytical skills to grow a business
- Advanced collaboration skills to partner with cross-functional teams
- Advanced negotiation and communication skills
- Flexible, resilient, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Strong experience in supplier and price management.
Preferred Education
- Business degree preferred
