Assistant Buyer

Company & Benefits Information

At Blain's Farm & Fleet we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a job they love, work in a great environment, grow their career & enjoy a positive balance.

As a family-owned retailer we take pride in offering a competitive benefit package designed to support you & your life. It is one of the reasons we have been named a Forbes Best Employer for seven consecutive years !

• Associates hired into a full-time role will become eligible for the following benefits effective their 91st day of full-time employment: Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, Ancillary Benefits, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Etc.
• All major Holidays & Birthday off
• Advanced Leadership Training Programs: build the skills to grow your career
• Associate discount on name brands like Carhartt, Under Armour, STIHL, Milwaukee Tool, DeWalt & much more!
• Internal recognition programs that support an engaged workplace
• 401(K) with company match

Compensation

• Base pay starting between $68,000-$75,000 per year

The pay listed for this position may vary based on experience. Please note, compensation decisions are contingent on the facts and conditions for each job opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as, training and experience, the position's work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires.

Please note salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Blain's Farm & Fleet position description for accurate pay range information.


Job Duties

This is a developmental role responsible for product selection, assortment planning, and securing the best overall program cost including terms, freight, and defective allowance to ensure corporate sales and profitability goals are met. Other duties include forecasting, inventory management, sales analysis and planning, vendor negotiations and relations, merchandising, marketing/advertising, communications, and special projects. This position is expected to work independently and form their own business decisions and may report to a Buyer or Senior Buyer or directly to the DMM depending on the business.

• Lead categories and be the primary decision-maker in terms of product assortment, pricing, forecasting, and merchandising strategies reflecting goals based on historic data, current trends, and future forecasts.
• Establish and maintain vendor partnerships. Schedule and participate in vendor meetings both on and off-site. Take a primary role in negotiating product costs, terms, and shipping/returns issues. Maintain communications with DMM regarding vendor performance.
• Directly collaborate with other organizational processes, such as merchandising, distribution center and stores to track shipments and floor purchase orders. Collaborate with internal business partners as appropriate to support goals, solve challenges and manage business.
• Reviews inventory regularly including merchandise orders. Maintains current data on sales and product trends to plan future purchases. Take an active role in seasonal presentation to upper management. Work with analysts to optimize inventory mix and levels.
• Organize and execute virtual or in-person product knowledge seminars with store personnel and vendors.
• Conduct regular store visits, shop the competition, and attend relevant trades shows/industry seminars as needed to remain abreast of business trends and opportunities.
• Search for close outs/special buys and identify and maximize key items via test strategies. Execute short-term buying plans based on open-to-buy dollars and long-term strategies.
• Design marketing/advertising placement and proof copy to ensure desired outcome. Plans special promotional events. Ensures ad merchandise arrives in store before ad dates and follow up with vendors and distribution centers to track ad prep and sales results.
• Make determinations on setting and approving product-pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives and executes exit-strategies on slow selling items and recommends appropriate markdowns.
• Measure and report on category performance, KPI's, planning, forecasting, and objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 3-5 years' experience as a Merchandiser or Assistant Store Manager or above
• Possess a valid driver's license
• Ability to build long-term relationships with internal and external customers.

EEO Statement

Blain Supply, Inc and Blain's Farm and Fleet (collectively "Blain's") is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recognize the importance of diversity and creating an inclusive culture in order to leverage the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. Blain's does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any applicable legally protected status. Our goal is to continue to be recognized as an employer of choice and we have received Forbes Best Mid-Sized company to work for an unprecedented 7 years in a row.