Buyer, Contemporary Handbags (Hybrid, Seattle)

About the role

This position is located at Nordstrom's downtown Seattle headquarters and follows a hybrid work model, with four days in the office and one remote workday each week. As a Buyer at Nordstrom, you'll direct the content strategy, product selection, and use of customer and trend information to support merchandise strategies for the division. You will partner with the Assortment Planner to achieve financial objectives; the Buyer and Assortment Planner are jointly accountable for meeting and exceeding departmental sales volume, gross margin, and gross-margin-return-on-investment (GMROI) targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop product plans to support seasonal department merchandise strategies based on customer expectations and fashion trends
• Develop deep multi-channel expertise, including presentation knowledge, customer behavior, and competitive awareness across both FLS and online channels
• Negotiate exclusive offerings, terms, pricing, vendor-funded markdowns, return-to-vendor agreements, drop-ship programs, co-op, etc.
• Manage and direct in-season inventory, ensuring effective analysis and decision-making regarding markdowns, claims, re-orders, etc.
• Partner with the buy planner and financial planner on business reviews, open-to-buy management, and plan revisions to achieve financial goals and strategic objectives
• Teach, coach, and motivate assistant buyer(s) to drive in-season performance, and help them become exceptional pickers of product, editors of assortments, and business managers

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience as a multichannel/omni-channel retail Buyer or in an equivalent role
• Strong negotiation instincts and a track record of building lasting vendor relationships
• People leadership experience; proven ability to inspire and motivate performance
• Proficiency in MS Office
• A Bachelor's degree in Merchandising or a related field (preferred)
• Experience managing a high-volume, multi-brand category
• Ability to travel domestically (and internationally 1X/year)

Pay

Annual pay range: $110,500.00 - $183,000.00. Pay ranges may differ for other locations; offers are dependent on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement, and Paid Time Away
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources
• Performance-based incentives/bonuses (eligible)
• 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more

Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Full details available in the Nordstrom Benefits Overview.