Job description
Buyer
Our client is seeking a Buyer to function within our North America division. This role requires a seasoned business manager with experience running multiple departments. The buyer will be responsible for addressing and managing all retail product challenges and opportunities. They will also be responsible for supporting and executing strategic initiatives goaled at achieving sales and margin targets across all managed categories.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Responsible for all aspects of buying for all classifications, ensuring that financial targets and plans are met for company owned stores
• Collaborate with global merchandising and wholesale teams to create a balanced assortment in terms of: brand appropriateness, fashion vision, quality, fit, value, price point, style/SKU count and key item depth.
• Partner with planning on managing the Open To Buy, taking action as necessary; recommending changes to reorders, pricing strategies and markdowns.
• Analyze and report on specific KPIs by channel (e.g., traffic, conversion, average transaction, units per transaction, etc.)
• Lead weekly divisional selling meetings with Planning & Allocation partners.
• Identify business opportunities to optimize customer experience of product. Partner with store operations team to Optimization product representation and perfect the customer’s interaction with the brand.
• Develop long-range plans for assigned category based on sound knowledge of category, company growth expectations and strategic goals.
• Develop assortments, and stay on top of current and emerging trends by performing market competitive analysis and finding inspiration from a number of style and design sources
• Oversee all Purchase Orders (PO in order to ensure timely delivery of products in warehouse)
• Oversee Divisional assortment sheet management in order to hit financial targets
• Take lead role in product related cross-functional Milestone meetings (Hindsight, Briefing, etc.); must be able to support and validate point of view with facts and analysis
CROSS- FUNCTIONAL + EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS
• Communicate with design and merchandising on best/worst sellers and whitespace opportunities to thoughtfully differentiate the brick assortment and customizing to channel needs
• Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure that merchandising objectives are supported and aligned with site/stores content and marketing strategies.
• Partner with planning to develop effective class plans and pricing strategies
• Monitor daily arrival of inventory to assist store Allocators and signal when product needs to be shifted and prioritized
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
• Minimum of 2 - 3 years retail buying experience
• Strong presenter with the ability to execute strategic initiatives.
• Must be highly organized & possess strong analytical skills.
• Possesses the ability to innovate process and to creatively solve complex problems.
• Strong computer skills: Word, Excel (pivot)
• Flexible to deadline demands, ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills
• Must be self-motivated
• Ability to multi-task and handle several projects at a time
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; act as a leader amongst peers
• Ability to work in a team based environment