Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Merchandising Buying at Saks OFF 5TH
Saks Global is the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, comprising Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call and Horchow. Its retail portfolio includes 70 full-line luxury locations, additional off-price locations and five distinct e-commerce experiences. With talented colleagues focused on delivering on our strategic vision, The Art of You, Saks Global is redefining luxury shopping by offering each customer a personalized experience that is unmistakably their own. By leveraging the most comprehensive luxury customer data platform in North America, cutting-edge technology, and strong partnerships with the world's most esteemed brands, Saks Global is shaping the future of luxury retail.
Saks Global Properties & Investments includes Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus flagship properties and represents nearly 13 million square feet of prime U.S. real estate holdings and investments in luxury markets.
You will be :
As the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Merchandising Buying at Saks OFF 5TH, you will serve as a key driver in crafting and executing the overall merchandising strategy for your category. This elevated role involves leading a team, leveraging industry expertise, and forging strong vendor relationships to create compelling and profitable assortments that delight our customers. You will champion innovation, guide strategic decision-making, and deliver impactful results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
The AVP, Merchandising Buying is responsible for translating big-picture goals into actionable plans and fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture that aligns with Saks OFF 5THs mission and vision.
What you will do :
Strategic Leadership :
- Develop and articulate a comprehensive merchandising strategy for your portfolio, aligning with company goals and market opportunities.
- Lead a team of Buyers and Sr. Buyers, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management to drive results.
- Stay ahead of market trends, competitive dynamics, and customer insights to shape and refine the category vision.
Business Acumen :
Partner with Planning to manage Open-to-Buy (OTB), hitting key metrics, liquidity targets, and profitability goals.Drive the seasonal assortment strategy and ensure alignment with overall merchandising objectives.Analyze sales performance and synthesize data to identify risks, opportunities, and actionable insights.Optimize the in-season management process to enhance inventory productivity and maximize revenue.Negotiation and Vendor Management :
Cultivate and expand strategic vendor relationships, securing advantageous terms and exclusive opportunities.Leverage your expertise in the price-value equation to negotiate competitive pricing and margin-improving deals.Drive both in-season and packaway buying strategies, ensuring the assortment remains relevant and appealing.Collaboration and Cross-Functional Partnership :
Work closely with Marketing and Digital teams to align on promotions, events, and seasonal marketing calendars.Collaborate with the Planning team to develop localized assortments and ensure effective markdown management.Engage with Store Operations and Visual Merchandising teams to enhance the customer experience across all channels.Market Pulse and Innovation :
Maintain a strong pulse on industry trends, emerging brands, and competitive landscapes to identify white space opportunities.Advocate for innovation in merchandising, leveraging data analytics and technology to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.Lead the team in embracing agility and adaptability in an ever-changing retail environment.What you will bring :
Visionary Leader : You inspire and lead with a clear vision, empowering your team to excel while fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.Strategic Thinker : You have a knack for anticipating market shifts and developing strategies to capitalize on them.Results-Oriented : You are focused on delivering measurable outcomes and are unafraid to make tough decisions to achieve business goals.Customer-Centric : You put the customer at the forefront, ensuring their needs and preferences drive all business decisions.Analytical and Decisive : You synthesize complex data to make informed, timely decisions, even with incomplete information.Collaborative Partner : You excel at building constructive relationships across teams, balancing strategic priorities with tactical execution.Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related field; MBA is a plus.7+ years of experience in buying or merchandising leadership roles, with a proven track record of driving business growth.Exceptional negotiation, analytical, and strategic planning skills.Expertise in managing OTB, inventory productivity, and financial performance metrics.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, off-price retail environment.Proficiency in merchandising tools, data analytics, and emerging technologies.Comfortable to work up to 4 days a week in our Brookfield Place (NYC) OfficesYour life and career at Saks Global :
Opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment at a company experiencing growth and transformation.Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities across the largest multi-brand luxury retailer from retail to distribution, to digital or corporate.Comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision, and dental).An amazing employee discount.We offer the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements : medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability insurance, and a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance).
