Job Description

Position: Merchandise Buyer


Report To: Director of Merchandise


Role:


The Merchandise Buyer is responsible for purchasing the best possible products to achieve and exceed sales, margin, and inventory goals within one or more product categories. By fully understanding customer needs, they can maximize profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices. Keeping up to date with market trends, reacting to changes in demand, leading the working pod, and facilitating change are key elements of this role.


Responsibilities:


Category Knowledge

Significant product knowledge of assigned categories. Current with competitor's product positioning, pricing, and product lines Provide up to date product knowledge to business partners and stores seasonally

Sales Analysis, Forecasting and Product Mix

Analyze sales performance by class and store and predict future trends

Select product mix that aligns with financial and profitability goals

Ensure that merchandise is price, quality competitive, and current. Attend trade shows to follow and buy the latest trends. Ability to manage seasonal and core never out of stock product mix Determine A, B, and C stores and evaluate their assortment and replenishment needs

Buy Plan, KPI's and Inventory Management

Report to Merchandise Manager to develop the buy plan. This plan considers the appropriate stock levels, selection for each store, product size scale, margin targets, costs, and retail pricing. Achieve and seek to over deliver on planned KPI's in sales, markdowns, gross margin, inventory levels, full price sell-through, and inventory turnover rate Keep inventory in line with the budget as well as in line with the store's needs and capacity Keep an accurate profile of each brand's delivery by month. Maintain the proper amount of inventory in each store while being aware of the season and local events that will influence sales and product volume demand.

Monitor and Allocate Orders

Monitor the progress of orders, ensure timely and accurate delivery of merchandise and support quality control functions Allocate inventory to the correct store based on the store profile. Keep Warehouse Manager informed of important incoming products from stores or vendors.

Develop Vendor Base

Develop positive supplier relationships. Negotiate prices, terms, and agreements with vendors. Work with vendors on special buys for trending items. Negotiate exclusivity wherever possible.

Skills:

Ability to manage multiple priorities in an organized and timely fashion with proven track record of delivering on projects and process improvements Excellent communication and organizational skills A creative problem solver, pro-active and able to use initiative to develop solutions Demonstrated team-building skills include experience in goal setting, motivating, leading, evaluating and developing a high-performance team.

Qualifications:

Post-secondary education in a field related to retail buying, such as Retail, Operations/Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or Economics. 2+ years' experience as a Category Buyer or 3+ years in a Merchandise Planner/Allocation role Knowledge of purchasing principles and retail math * Experience in Retail Environments is an asset.