Summary:
Purchases and determines merchandise or commodities for resale by performing the following duties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Research product and pricing and enter into negotiations with vendors.
- Discover, select and certify vendors and their merchandise programs.
- Maintain relationships with existing suppliers; source new suppliers.
- Analyze consumer buying patterns to predict future trends.
- Write reports and forecast sales levels reacting to changes in demand. Report to upper management any change in direction and appropriate plans.
- Negotiate vendor programs and pricing to maximize sales, margin and profitability within each department.
- Increase sales, turns and GMROI through proper inventory management.
- Increase sales through the utilization of all available marketing and advertizing channels.
- Collaborate with vendors to maximize all available advertising/marketing funds to allow company to increase media presence while decreasing advertising expenditures.
- Schedule, and conduct timely category line reviews to identify sales trends and opportunities for growth or inventory reduction within each category.
- Create internal and external marketing and advertising for assigned product lines.
- Set-up new vendor accounts.
- Maintain vendor price files and vendor relationships.
- Establish and maintain budgets including financial planning, sales, inventory, turns and margins.
- Maintain communications with Vice President of Purchasing & Marketing regarding vendor performance and order status.
- Attend trade shows as needed throughout the year.
- Perform comparative analysis of products. Evaluate sales and inventory.
- Reinforce relationships with the stores through scheduled visits through the year; focusing on inventory levels and merchandising within the store, as well as market conditions in the area.
- Occasionally work a store sales floor and sell merchandise to become familiar with customer attitudes, preferences, purchasing preferences and assist with merchandising.
- Travel long distances and work on the road for up to a week at a time.
- Conduct product knowledge seminars with store personnel and vendors.
- Search for close outs and special buys.
- Work with analysts to optimize inventory mix and levels.
- Authorizes payment of invoices or return merchandise.
- Approves advertising copy for social media campaigns.
- Determines financial information such as price mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, and style number to print on price tickets.
- Conducts training meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.
- Prices items for resale.
- Must be physically present at the C-A-L Ranch Support Center.
- Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises one or more employees. Monitors supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS degree in business or equivalent work experience
- 4 years merchandising work experience at the Assistant Buyer or Replenishment Manager level
- Ability to multi task and prioritize work assignments
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Power Point, and especially Excel)
- Excellent analytical skills, able to create, understand and effect business through spreadsheets
- Strong retail merchandising skills
- Understanding of retail math, price point analysis, inventory turns and margin
Preferred Qualifications:
- BS or Master’s degree in business management
- 3-5 years retail buying experience
- 2-4 years retail operations or merchandising experience
- Strong analytical math skills
- Passion for merchandise and ability to select successful and profitable items
- Able to build assortments through line reviews
- Creative thinker with an open mind who leverages collaboration
- Category line review experience
- Efficient team player with a strong work ethic