Buyer

Buyer

• Effectively plan to ensure that top line sales goals and bottom line profit goals are met by overseeing the execution of brand strategies.
• Direct assortments that support the needs of the customer and the financial objectives of the merchandising division.
• Procures merchandise in the appropriate quantities, within the appropriate time framework at the best prices.
• Establish strong relationships and a thorough understanding of the customer and / or consumer to maximize potential.
• Communicate daily with Sr Buyer on all aspect of the business, keeping him / her informed of performances, strategies and any issues that may occur that affect the department.
• Work with Planner to create an assortment plan by category for future seasons and present current financial open to buy position on a monthly basis.
• Work with Planning on promotion and pos weekly.
• Work with Store planning / allocation on inventory matters weekly.
• Work with the Marketing / Visual team to communicate key items and messages and oversee floor set (product placement) and communicate marketing needs.
• Analyze sales, margin, and all other aspects of the business information in weekly review sessions.
• Shop / travel to trade shows to identify upcoming trends that pertain to the brand.
• Visit stores to review presentation, identify opportunities, suggestions, and needs.
• Shop competing and inspirational venues to monitor fashion trends, pricing strategies and presentation techniques.

Brand Management

• Define and create assortment strategy to maximize sales and profitability for the department (from trend shopping, to line plan creation, to proto development, to line finalization).
• Oversee all information flow between the product organization and TAF Merchandising.
• Write Private Brand Financial Strategy, targets and receipt plans for the Buy Meeting.
• Communicate to division the private brand merchandise and business strategies based on the plans.
• Partner with Sr Buyer in execution of seasonal private brand sales and margin plans.
• Generate support of the line and financial plans by gathering product performance input from division, sharing line development and direction, and promoting the assortments.
• Recap and analyze all order placements, write corporate callouts, approve lap dips / spec sign offs and follow through to make sure changes are implemented.
• Responsible for identifying and communicating to private brand team all reorders and new emerging opportunities.

Cross-Functional Responsibilities

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams within the division.
• Assist marketing in the development of marketing plans and campaigns to support assortments.
• Ensure merchandise strategies are executed on the store level.
• Partner with marketing director on time and action calendar for each season.
• Provide leadership to division and product staff through product category expertise.
• Regular, dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Produce a Quarterly Report & use it to build QBR presentations for vendor partners.

Essential Education / Qualifications :

• Minimum 5 years buying experience including both retail buying experience and brand management / merchandising experience.
• Financial and Business Acumen : Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive results.
• Analytical : High Proficiency in retail math and analytical skills. Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from quantitative and qualitative data.
• Problem Solving & Decision Quality : Able to use rigorous logic and methods to solve problems with effective solutions.
• High proficiency and solid foundation of Microsoft Office Programs such as MS Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of industry best practices and demonstrated knowledge / ability for assortment curation, planning and analytics and how they support the long-range merchandise strategy.
• Data input with high accuracy rate required.
• Critical and Independent Thinker that drives solutions.
• Extremely detailed oriented.
• Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow through on all aspects of responsibility.
• Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills in regards to business analytics and strategic thought process.
• Excellent fashion sense and good taste level as it relates to product.
• A passion for and deep understanding of the athletic lifestyle space
• Driven and determined to achieve results in a fast paced-start up oriented working environment.
• Relationship Management : Able to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners.
• Effective speaker and listener in a variety of settings including one-on-one, small and large groups.
• Can present ideas and directions that lead others to action.
• Demonstrate an ability to set objectives and goals and organize work appropriately to meet and exceed goals.
• Anticipate risks and identifies contingency plans and processes to prevent disruptions when risks occur.
• Can thrive in a fast-moving, flexible environment in which people are stretched both in the breadth and depth of their responsibilities.

Comfortable with change.