Associate Buyer

Associate Buyer

The Associate Buyer executes product strategies and manages vendor relationships for assigned categories. This role leads merchandise selection, performance analysis, and operational execution, helping ensure the right products are available at the right time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy:
  • Lead the development and execution of category strategies aligned with company goals and customer insights.
  • Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer preferences to inform category decisions.
  • Drive vendor negotiations and relationship management to enhance category performance.
• Assortment/Product Strategy:
  • Curate and maintain a compelling product assortment.
  • Analyze sales data and customer feedback to identify assortment gaps and opportunities.
  • Owns product selection, line reviews, and seasonal planning processes.
  • Manage and maintain product data to ensure the Good/Better/Best strategy is accurately reflected in all systems.
• Price Management:
  • Support pricing strategy development to ensure competitiveness and profitability.
  • Monitor price changes, promotions, and markdowns to optimize margin and inventory levels.
  • Conduct regular pricing analysis and provide recommendations for adjustments.
• Financial Plans:
  • Assist in building and maintaining financial plans including sales forecasts, margin targets, and inventory levels.
  • Track performance against financial goals and provide actionable insights to improve results.
  • Partner with planning and allocation teams to ensure alignment with financial objectives.
• Team Management:
  • Manage small team of individual contributors, contributing to their growth and development.

Qualifications:

• 4+ years of buying experience, exhibiting progressively responsible assignments with the merchandising organization
• Planning and inventory experience is strongly preferred
• 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

At The Michaels Companies Inc., our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity and celebration. As the leading destination for creating and celebrating in North America, we operate over 1,300 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. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit

Michaels offers a range of benefits to support team members and their families. Depending on position and eligibility, team members may have access to a 401(k) with employer match, an Employee Assistance Program, medical, dental, and vision coverage, telemedicine services, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, and various voluntary insurance options. All team members enjoy everyday perks such as employee discounts and access to partner discount programs. For a summary of benefits, visit the Michaels Benefits at a Glance page. For additional information regarding benefits, visit MIKBenefits.com.

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

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).