Associate Buyer

Support Center - IrvingThe Associate Buyer works with the Buyer in planning, purchasing, and communicating long-term and seasonal merchandising strategies, ensuring the availability of products that meet customer demands while maximizing profitability.

This is done through the selection and development of product for assigned categories of the business while maximizing sales & profits and increasing market share.

This role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for staying updated with market trends.

Major Activities

Assortment Planning

• Selects and purchases product for assortment plans that meet financial sales and profit goals for their assigned categories of merchandise
• In partnership with Buyer, is responsible for the achievement of sales and profit plans for their assigned categories
• In partnership with product development, design, and sourcing, supports the Buyer in guiding product development and executing the financial plan for your categories
• Develops a balanced assortment of private brand and national brand assortment
• Aligns with cross-functional partners, to maximize sales and profit

Pricing, Presentation & Promotion

• Maximizes merchandise presentation, develop planograms, and work cross-functionally through the implementation process
• In partnership with Buyer, creates planograms using merchandising strategies, financial analysis, competitive analysis, trends, and space allocations
• Execute advertising, pricing, and promotion strategies for a category of merchandise

Performance Analysis

• Utilizes data analytics tools to analyze sales, inventory, and market trends
• Prepares regular reports and presentations to provide insights and recommendations to the buying team regarding pricing, product assortment, and promotional strategies
• Develops and makes recommendations based on category history and market share analysis
• Conducts brand and market share competitive analyses, develops insights, and recommends tests
• Generates reports to analyze weekly and monthly category metrics

Inventory Management

• Partners with inventory management to maximize return on inventory investment based on sales plans, category assortment, and trends
• Monitors inventory levels, ensuring optimal stock levels to meet customer demands while minimizing carrying costs and stockouts

Market Research

Conducts market research to identify emerging trends, new product opportunities, and a competitive landscape to stay ahead in the market

Vendor Management

• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules
• Leverages vendor partnerships to develop the right product and be able to lead vendors based on consumer and market insights

Collaboration & Leadership

• Works closely with cross-functional teams, including Planning, Inventory, Space, and Pricing, to ensure seamless execution of buying strategies
• Acts as a lead or first-level supervisor to Assistant Buyers, including coaching, training, and guiding on team deliverables

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Minimum Education

College degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Type of Experience the Job Requires

• 4+ years of buying experience, exhibiting progressively responsible assignments with the merchandising organization
• Planning and inventory experience a must
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in utilizing Excel or other data analysis tools to extract insights and make data-driven decisions
• Strong collaboration skills to partner with cross-functional teams
• Flexible, resilient, and comfortable working in an environment that is constantly changing
• Strong decision-making ability, communication, and negotiation skills
• Detailed-oriented with excellent organizational skills

Preferred Education

Business degree

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

To review a comprehensive list of benefits, please visit (MIKBenefits.com)

CO, CT, WA and RI only - To review pay ranges for the position you are applying for, please visit . (MIKBenefits.com)

For 50 years, Michaels has been the best place for all things creative. We strive to inspire our customers, cultivate confident leaders, and serve our communities by fostering an inclusive environment for everyone to learn, shop, and create.

At Michaels, everyone has a seat at our craft table and every Team Member is encouraged to hone their craft with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

From our Stores and Distribution Centers to Artistree and our Support Center, our best-in-class team is committed to delivering on our purpose to fuel the joy of creativity.

As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,290 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.

com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels, a dedicated handmade goods marketplace.

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all Makers to create, innovate and be better together.