Associate Buyer II (Grocery)

Responsibilities

Getting the right products at the right price in the right Store at the right time is no small task. That's what our Merchants do every day. They bring expertise in the areas of procurement, merchandising, culinary, analysis, pricing, quality assurance, demo programming, and inventory planning.

As an Associate BDM II or Associate Buyer II, you'll work with a BDM / Buyer to gain expertise on product assortment, placement, purchase, price negotiation, distribution, cost negotiation, reacting to customer demand, and planning future category strategy. You'll be assigned higher-complexity work in category, supply chain, and vendor management.

Once you're eligible, you'll become an Owner in the company, so we're looking for commitment, hard work, and focus on quality and Customer service. 'Partner-owned' means our most important resources--People--drive the innovation, growth, and success that makes H-E-B The Greatest Omnichannel Retailing Company.

Qualifications

• Ability to persuade with negotiating and communication skills
• Acumen to execute product strategy
• Drive to provide proactive solutions with limited direction / input
• Preferred degree in business, economics, marketing, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in business, merchandising/retail, or Store Operations
• Willingness to take risks

What is the work?

Management / Sales

• Provides strategic contributions to assigned category
• Contributes by offering advice to all buying and merchandising activities related to specific assigned categories, with a BDM / Buyer trainer
• Develops the market trends strategy and influences the best buying practices, merchandising, pricing, promotion strategies, growth, and development of assigned categories
• Makes decisions on assortment, product placement, distribution, and subsequent financial results
• Works collaboratively and drives strategic initiatives with Shelf Edge, Supply Chain, Product Information, Own Brand, Global Sourcing, Pricing, Store Operations and other related areas
• Oversees the management of more complex cost negotiation activities with vendors
• Ensures products are competitively priced, meeting price image / financial objectives
• Guides the buyer with the selection of the right product mix
• Leads the process of the writing, placing, and tracking purchase orders
• Ensures products are purchased at the right time, to specification and at a good price

Strategy / Project Management

• Develops / works collaboratively with BDMs and Buyers to develop category strategies
• Oversees the management of cost and retail relationships to support marketing and merchandising strategies
• Leads the Department-wide projects and new initiatives from concept to implementation. As assigned
• Ensures consistent communication materials and branding throughout procurement programs and processes, policies, and other H-E-B initiatives
• Responsible for the organization's buying and merchandising strategies
• Accurately forecasts trends and monitors performance to establish overall product assortment strategy
• Recommends new suppliers and makes recommendations to the buyer
• Manages the preparation of the budgets and forecasting purchasing trends

Background

• Preferred degree in business, economics, marketing, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in business, merchandising / retail, or Store Operations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with merchandising software systems is a plus
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills

Additional Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of product information data flow (item, vendor, cost, price), category trends, promotional planning, category performance analysis, systems, process, and analysis
• Advanced verbal / written communication and presentation skills
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong negotiating, influencing, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organization and project management skills
• PC skills (MS Office and job-related software / programs)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities / deadlines and shift focus between tasks; attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively on cross-functional teams and company-wide initiatives
• Ability to navigate the organization and solve problems within / across departments
• Ability to recommend proactive solutions with limited direction and input
• Business acumen; initiative; willingness to take risks
• Strategic thinking and leadership

Other Information

• Strong working knowledge of product information data flow (item, vendor, cost, price), category trends, promotional planning, category performance analysis, systems, process, and analysis
• Advanced verbal / written communication and presentation skills
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong negotiating, influencing, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organization and project management skills
• PC skills (MS Office and job-related software / programs)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities / deadlines and shift focus between tasks; attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively on cross-functional teams and company-wide initiatives
• Ability to navigate the organization and solve problems within / across departments
• Ability to recommend proactive solutions with limited direction and input
• Business acumen; initiative; willingness to take risks
• Strategic thinking and leadership

Work Environment

• Fast-paced, retail, office environment
• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays
• Work extended hours; sit for extended periods