Partnering with the Buyer, the Associate Buyer will be responsible for the evaluation, selection and purchasing of all merchandise in the categories for which he/she has responsibility. The incumbent will perform the following functions:
- Develops understanding of customer needs and desires in product category.
- Ensures the profitability of the merchandise and drives expansion of the category.
- Responsible for merchandise presentation on the website and content relevant to products or programs in his/her area of responsibility.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Develops understanding of customer needs and preferences.
- Considers customer point of view when making decisions regarding buying, pricing, merchandising, and advertising.
- Evaluates, selects and buys merchandise.
- Makes balanced risk-decisions based on objectives and parameters for success in selecting merchandise.
- Drives expansion of the category.
- Establishes and/or maintains positive vendor relationships relative to the category.
- Uses fact based approach in negotiating with vendors, utilizing vendor-supplied facts to facilitate decision-making and agreement.
- Builds partnerships to gain commitment to shared goals of expanding sales.
- Accountable for achieving financial results and ensuring the profitability of those categories. Identifies or creates profitable strategies.
- Provides leadership to others in identifying how category and product initiatives, actions and decisions connect to organizational strategies and objectives.
- Strong relationship builder who can partner with internal as well as external constituents, flexible to change and can be a change agent.
Qualifications:
The qualified candidate will have two (2) years minimum retail buying or planning experience, with strong Vendor negotiation and/or partnership building experience. A bachelor's degree is preferred.
- Essential skills include:
- Strong and proven analytical and negotiation skills.
- Detail oriented and a creative problem solver.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Must possess high enthusiasm, initiative and flexibility.
- Computer skills necessary to perform job include internal systems and intermediate to expert proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Proficiency in MS Access is strongly preferred.
- Must be able to travel (domestically) up to 15%.
