Assistant Buyer

Job Title

Function: Learn the skill necessary to advance to the position of buyer; assist the divisional merchandise manager in special projects; and assist the buyer in the achievement of planned sales and profitability with guidelines set by the company's merchandise plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Buying:

1. Make market trips, as assigned, and shop lines at the office as directed by the divisional merchandise manager coordinate with a buyer; develop good vendor relations
2. Buy for any classification as directed by the divisional merchandise manager
3. Review the trend report weekly. Identify fast and slow items and bring them to the attention of the buyer, i.e. as in the reorder of fast sellers
4. Aid in maintenance of stock, size, and color assortments in each store
5. Maintain an effective basic stock program in departments as assigned. Calculate in stock needs by location and place monthly reorders to keep stock fresh, color and size assortments available to increase turn
6. Aid the buyer in the review of the on order files in the office and take appropriate action as directed by the buyer
7. Aid the buyer in performing clerical skills as requested. These include the set up of SKUs, orders, plans, filing, and entering open to buys
8. Shop and analyze competitive stores to evaluate their assortments, prices, and merchandise presentation and report pertinent findings to the divisional merchandise manager

Merchandising:

1. Visit the stores regularly to check assortments of merchandise, stock levels, and old merchandise
2. Coordinate with buyer and area merchandiser on departmental layout, display, and merchandise presentation
3. Aid in preparation for in store contests and sales promotions
4. Read trade publications in order to be aware of current and future trends
5. Takes merchandise counts in stores as requested by the buyer
6. Uses the spent time on the sales floor for exposure to customers

This job description in no way states or implies that these are

the only duties performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by the divisional merchandise manager or the buyer

This is an hourly position but may be adapted to a full time salaried position depending on the staffing of the buying office and by recommendation by the divisional merchandiser to the general merchandising manager.

This job classification is charged to the buying office salaries.

Education: B.S./B.A. degree, preferably a business major.

Experience: A minimum of 6 months training as an area merchandiser or a buyer's assistant with in store responsibilities or an assistant buyer from another firm.

Personal characteristics: Fashion minded, neat and fashionable appearance, energetic, articulate, professional, eye for detail, ability to plan, organize, and follow through in a timely manner, intelligent, assertive attitude toward company growth and personal advancement within the company.