Buyer for Digestive Support

Responsibilities

• Set, manage and execute the strategic direction for the category(s) to include both Vitamin Shoppe Brand and national branded product
• Collaborate with Category Planner to develop category inventory productivity targets, monitor receipts and work to implement strategic initiatives to drive results
• Create and achieve category quantitative plans including sales, promotional mark downs and merchandise margin
• Develop and execute the monthly promotional cadence in partnership with the marketing and pricing teams
• Work with the Pricing team to determine competitive position of products against our various categories of competition
• Cultivate, sustain and be the primary owner of vendor relationship with a primary focus on creating business opportunity
• Establish and maintain a reputation of credibility and responsiveness in the marketplace (e.g., promptly returns vendor phone calls, ensures timely follow-up on issues, etc.)
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with cross-functional partners (Inventory, Private Brands, Marketing, Visual, MIO)
• Build and communicate category & market intelligence throughout the organization
• Proactively lead, develop and manage staff with a goal of developing internal merchandising bench strength
• Stay current on industry and competitive landscape by attending primary industry events and regularly visiting competitors to understand what they offer and validate our competitive advantages and positioning

Qualifications

• Education/Certification: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Nutrition or related Field Required
• Knowledge: Current or previous category merchandising expertise in commodity/replenishment driven categories, 5-7+ years in a progressive retail or CPG merchandising career, ability and passion to drive change and innovation within categories of accountability, strong vendor partner with strong negotiation skills and experience negotiating with multinational vendors, advanced analytical rigor with ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, expertise using market share data to aid decision making and promotion cadence, passion for the health and wellness industry, passionate hands-on leader with the ability to execute in a fast-paced organization