Buyer I - Kay

About the Role

The Buyer I (Associate Buyer) helps develop merchandise assortments and strategies to drive profitable category sales and productivity, while ensuring product value, quality, and styling. They partner closely with their manager to manage all aspects of assortment planning, selection, maintenance, and promotion, for designated product categories.

Responsibilities

• Give input as requested to set Strategic Vision for Category
• Understand cost structure of product
• Develop, select, test, price, and acquire quality merchandise consistent with consumer demand, and in keeping with strategic department goals and policies
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of jewelry market trends and competitive strategies
• Adjust quickly to changing market trends and conditions
• Develop new product concepts/brands for test market(s), with potential for expanded store rollout
• Coordinate efforts with marketing, visual display, and advertising departments to promote key items, programs/brands, and categories
• Merchandise catalogs/promotional items for designated product categories
• Present and justify all catalog/promotional items to merchandise directors and vice presidents
• Analyze and react to business on a weekly basis
• Help build buy plans for upcoming seasons
• Participate in the development of financial plans and advertising/marketing plans for designated product categories
• Participate in management of open-to-buy for assigned product categories with CMT and update as needed
• Help plan and manage merchandising assortments for e-commerce/web sites
• Active participant in Lifecycle Management from idea inception through Clearance and end of life
• Work with Inventory Analyst to ensure proper in-stock levels
• Manage negotiations relating to the return of discontinued product(s) to appropriate supplier
• Assist in annual business review for all designated product categories to Vice Presidents of Merchandising and MP&I
• Work directly with Signet’s accounting department to ensure credits/aging are applied correctly, when applicable
• Strategically handle vendor base, finding and developing strong vendor partners
• Negotiate annual purchasing agreement contracts with vendors, including direct import, and anti-money laundering certification as needed
• Assist CMT with issues on vendor performance, including late orders and quality control issues
• Proof all advertising materials for accuracy, including catalogs, emails, web site, customer mailings, and in-store signage
• Collaborate with VM team for in-store presentations
• Work cross-functionally with stores Ops team, VM, DC team, and Planning on store tests, rollouts, and RTV’s
• Oversee training and career development for direct reports/team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field preferred
• 2+ years of prior buying experience
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally to attend trade shows, vendor appointments, and view markets; occasional weekend travel as needed
• Computer skills with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal), negotiation skills, attention to detail and accuracy, organizational skills, and math skills (ability to work with numbers and analyze data)
• Ability to work in a metal-free environment when necessary, based on security policy
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to lead a team if applicable
• Demonstrated leadership skills