ASSOCIATE BUYER - FURNITURE

Job Summary

Assists the Buyer(s) responsible for the development and execution of all merchandise stock assortments, and promotional plans for assigned departments. Has limited Open-to-buy authority.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Analyzes market trends and offerings to develop and execute merchandise stock assortments business strategies and goals for assigned merchandise lines departments.
• Negotiates with vendors within established limits to obtain most favorable prices and allowances to achieve sales and profit objectives for basic and advertised merchandise.
• Works with vendors to ensure that all vendor’s in-store sales staff is trained, meets all NEX standards, and are scheduled with all necessary and negotiated hours of staffing.
• Develops and executes advertising plan for assigned departments.
• Oversees order placement and tracking to ensure timely receipt of merchandise.
• Works with buyer to prepare information tools, training materials, and training seminars for store associates.
• Works closely with Planner/Distributor to plan sales, gross profit, and stock turn both annually and seasonally.
• Works closely with Planner/Distributor to determine and execute automated methods of replenishment.
• May be assigned responsibility for the supervision and development of a subordinate staff consisting of Assistant Buyers, Merchandisers, Pricing Specialists, as appropriate.
• Conducts store visits as appropriate to evaluate merchandise presentation, customer demographics, stock assortments, and inventory levels.
• Works closely with store management to address and maximize business opportunities.
• Attends trade shows and markets as appropriate.
• Works with Planner/Distributor to determine optimal order size, inventory levels, and allocations needed to achieve merchandising and financial goals.
• Analyzes financial performance using tools such as but not limited to Data Warehouse and Category Scorecard to ensure established goals are being met and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary.
• Prepares merchandise information manuals, monthly information bulletins, and associate training seminars as appropriate.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with vendors and internal and external colleagues.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• General Experience: 3 years of experience which was gained in professional technical or other responsible work which enabled the applicant to gain a knowledge of retail practices, demonstrated skill in dealing with others in person-to-person work relationships, the ability to analyze problems, and exercise mature judgment.
• OR Substitution of education for experience: 1 year of academic study above the high school level may be substituted for 9 months of experience up to a maximum of a 4 year bachelor's degree for 3 years of general experience.
• Specialized Experience: 2 years of progressively responsible substantive experience which provided background in procurement practices, methods, and procedures, developing and maintaining open-to-buy, selecting sources of supply, planning stock assortments, review of merchandise for pricing, markdowns, and stock rotation, planning and developing sales promotions.