Assistant Buyer (REMOTE)

Employment Category

Regular, Full-time

Travel Requirements

Moderate (15-30%)

Responsibilities/Skills/Experience Requirements

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Utilizes analytical tools to determine and recommend the appropriate markdown strategy, (including timing and price matrix); presents the markdown cadence for approval and enters the plan in the system
• Completes the new vendor setup by verifying and approving the required vendor documentation; monitors and collects vendor allowance agreements for defects, markdowns, signage, etc
• Generates weekly financial reports (sales, markdowns and receipt) and analyzes data to draw conclusions and provide recommendations to the team on opportunities to improve performance
• Generates reports to analyze item performance versus last year and competitors; provides recommendations to Buyers for forecast estimates
• Manages item set up process; liaison between Inventory Management and Vendors on accuracy of items and details
• Assists in development, selection, and negotiation of product to include cost, subsidy and terms
• Performs analysis required to assist in the development of the buy plan
• Responds to store inquiries for merchandise by researching planograms, inventory allotments, store demographics, sales performance, etc.; recommends appropriate solutions and executes upon Buyer approval
• Refines and optimizes planograms to deliver innovative and profitable approaches to merchandising product
• Determines amount of subsidies to be collected from vendors for advertising and ensures timely collection
• Analyzes advertising results to assist in future planning
• Monitors and maintains promotional performance and provides recommendations to Associate Buyers/Buyers based on analyzing and interpreting sales trends, reporting promotions by sales, gross margin by product/category and store to assist in future strategy and driving improved performance
• Establishes collaborative relationships with Inventory Management to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise
• Determines product that needs to be marked down, builds a strategy, monitors performance of sell-thru during clearance cadence to determine timing of further reductions; collects funding from vendors to offset margin loss
• For seasonal businesses, develops melt-down plan and monitors sell-thru to plan to determine actions that need to be taken: markdowns, etc.
• Actively maintains awareness of products, customer preferences, competitors to keep current on ways to better service customer in assigned categories
• Approves advertising turns-ins and proofs photos and written copy
• Participates in the process of building and maintaining relationships with vendors and interacts with the vendor community while adhering to the company standards and code of ethics
• Creates and manages the input of advertising plan: coordinates and sets up ad program, proper setup and picturing of item, obtains samples, communicates to the vendors, advertising team and logistics team
• Proofs point of sale signage and maintains integrity of quality of signage for ease of store execution level

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelors Degree
• 1-2 years of related experience
• Up to 25% travel
• 18 years of age or older

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelors degree from a four year college or university (preference given to Merchandising, Finance and Retail Management degrees), or four years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated leadership and dedication to customer service
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and business finance (retail math) skills
• Highly organized with an impeccable skill to follow-through and follow-up
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; can balance multiple priorities
• High focus on details to drive execution
• Highly creative, thinks out of the box with a an innovative mind-set
• Strong PC skills, Windows-based programs, particularly Microsoft Excel

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Minimum of 1-2 years experience in retail a plus

Job Function

Buying/Merchandising

Years Experience

1 - 2 Years Experience

Country

United States

Location City

HOFFMAN ESTATES

Work-In City

Remote

Work-In State

Remote

Work-In Postal Code

Remote

EEO/EOE Footer

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Vet.

Posting Tags

#Remote, #SearsRetailStores

Company Brand

Sears Stores

Compensatio