Job Summary: 

Assists the Buyers responsible for the development and execution of all merchandise stock assortments and promotional plans for assigned departments. Has limited Open-to-buy authority. Works closely with Buyer and Planner Distributor to plan and execute sales gross profit and stock turn plans. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Works under the supervision of a Buyer who retains overall responsibility for managing merchandise categories lines assigned.
• The Associate Buyer performs the following duties within limits established by the Buyer.
•  Work is reviewed at key points within the buying planning process to ensure work meets established objectives.
•  Analyzes market trends and offerings to develop and execute merchandise stock assortments business strategies and goals for assigned merchandise lines departments. 
• Negotiates with vendors within established limits to obtain most favorable prices and allowances to achieve sales and profit objectives for basic and advertised merchandise. 
• Where required works with vendors to ensure that all vendor s in store sales staff is trained meets all NEX standards and are scheduled all necessary and negotiated hours of staffing. 
• Responsible for the development execution and maintenance of the Master Stock Assortments MSA . 
• Works with other codes to develop space allocation adjacencies and planograms for store sets and renovations. - Develops and executes advertising plan for assigned departments. 
• Oversees order placement and tracking to ensure timely receipt of merchandise. 
• Works with buyer to prepare information tools training materials and training seminars for store associates.
•  Works closely with Planner Distributor to plan sales gross profit and stock turn both annually and seasonally. 
• Works closely with Planner Distributor to determine and execute automated methods of replenishment. 
• May be assigned responsibility the supervision and development of a subordinate staff consisting of Assistant Buyers Merchandisers Pricing Specialists as appropriate. 
• Conducts store visits as appropriate to evaluate merchandise presentation customer demographics stock assortments and inventory levels. Works closely with store management to address and maximize business opportunities. 
• Attends trade shows and markets as appropriate. 
• Works with Planner Distributor to determine optimal order size inventory levels and allocations needed to achieve merchandising and financial goals. - Analyzes financial performance using tools such as but not limited to Data Warehouse and Category Scorecard to ensure established goals are being met and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary. 
• Prepares merchandise information manuals monthly information bulletins and associate training seminars as appropriate. - Maintain collaborative partnerships with vendors and internal and external colleagues.
•  Performs other related duties as assigned. 
• Works under the close supervision of a Buyer. 
• Operates independently within the authority delegated by the Buyer. 
• Performance is evaluated on operational perfor