Assistant Buyer

The Company Stores Assistant Buyer is accountable for implementing the vision, executing the plans, and achieving the financial goals for assigned locations and categories for the Company Store. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is exercised.

Merchandising and Product Development:
• Manage product selection for assigned stores in conjunction with merchandise team and corporate sales manager.
• Supports store level Custom Sales in the development and purchase of merchandise.
• Responsible for writing and tracking all Custom Sales purchase orders utilizing Counterpoint POS system.
• Research new trends and product lines through competitive shopping, trade show attendance and communication with store managers; report to management and make recommendations for product selection and merchandising.
• Research and monitor existing vendor base and industry developments and identify potential new product opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors to leverage the Company as a preferred customer, leading to more favorable pricing, exclusive offerings, and markdown and claims assistance.
• Visit Gift store monthly to track product performance and site merchandising.
• Work with Allocations Manager to ensure correct initial product placement and order quantity.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure processes for doing business with the Company Store are followed. This includes trademark usage, sample processes, pre-ticketing, defective claims procedures, shipping requirements, and routing guidelines.
• Assist in copy writing and product knowledge distribution as needed.
• Communicate product and sales trends with merchandise team
• Assist merchandise buyers with product development as needed
• Assist with floor sets as needed

Planning and Analysis
• Set and meet targets for initial markup, gross margin, sales, and percentage to total in assigned merchandise categories.
• Regularly monitor performance data and when necessary modify strategies and tactics to ensure success.
• Minimize markdowns through successful product selection to optimize gross margins; take promotional markdowns as needed to stimulate business, while maintaining overall profitability requirements.
• Provide the best price/value ratio possible, maintaining competitive pricing.
• Review weekly sales reports in Counterpoint to monitor merchandise flow and determine appropriate reorder quantity and delivery period.
• Analyze and understand markets, competitors, customers, and future trends.

Brand Communication
• Collaborate with Company Brand Management and Graphics to create fresh, visually exciting, merchandise.
• Create on-brand merchandise stories that are appealing to wide array of internal and external customers.

JOB SKILLS: Qualifications:
Education: BA
Experience: 3 years retail experience.
****trade show attendance and store visitation****