ASSOCIATE BUYER - Men's Furnishings

About the Role

Assists the Buyers responsible for the development and execution of all merchandise stock assortments and promotional plans for assigned departments. Has limited Open-to-buy authority. Works closely with Buyer and Planner Distributor to plan and execute sales, gross profit, and stock turn plans.

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 the most favorable prices and allowances to achieve sales and profit objectives for basic and advertised merchandise.
• Works with vendors to ensure in-store sales staff is trained, meets all standards, and is scheduled for all necessary and negotiated hours of staffing.
• Develops, executes, and maintains the Master Stock Assortments (MSA).
• Collaborates with other teams to develop space allocation, adjacencies, and planograms for store sets and renovations.
• Develops and executes advertising plans for assigned departments.
• Oversees order placement and tracking to ensure timely receipt of merchandise.
• Prepares information tools, training materials, and seminars for store associates.
• Works closely with Planner Distributor to plan sales, gross profit, and stock turn both annually and seasonally.
• Determines and executes automated methods of replenishment with Planner Distributor.
• May supervise and develop subordinate staff, including Assistant Buyers, Merchandisers, and Pricing Specialists.
• Conducts store visits 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.
• Determines optimal order size, inventory levels, and allocations to achieve merchandising and financial goals.
• Analyzes financial performance using tools such as Data Warehouse and Category Scorecard to ensure goals are met and takes corrective action when necessary.
• Prepares merchandise information manuals, monthly bulletins, and associate training seminars.
• Maintains collaborative partnerships with vendors and internal/external colleagues.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

A total of 5 years of experience consisting of the following:

• General Experience: 3 years of professional, technical, or other responsible work that provided knowledge of retail practices, demonstrated skill in dealing with others, and the ability to analyze problems and exercise mature judgment.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: 1 year of academic study above high school may substitute 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 providing 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

Schedule

Full-Time (35+ hours)