Buyer I - Jared

Associate Buyer

The primary responsibility of the Associate Buyer is to help develop merchandise assortments and strategies to drive profitable category sales and productivity, while ensuring product value, quality, and styling. The Associate Buyer either directly manages a small category or assists a Sr. Buyer or above in managing a larger category. The Associate Buyer holds a leadership role within the category management team (CMT). Working within the CMT, the Associate Buyer partners closely with their manager to manage all aspects of assortment planning, selection, maintenance, and promotion, for designated product categories.

Category Management

• Give input as requested to set Strategic Vision for Category
• Up-to-date knowledge of jewelry market trends and competitive strategies.
• Ability to adjust quickly, if needed, to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.
• Analyze and React to Business on a weekly basis
• Participate in the development of financial plans and advertising/marketing plans for designated product categories.
• Assist in all business reviews for all designated product categories to Leadership.
• Oversee training and career development for Direct Reports / Team

Product Development

• Develop, select, test, price and acquire quality merchandise consistent with consumer demand, and in keeping with strategic department goals and policies.
• Develop new product concepts/brands for test market(s), with potential for expanded store roll out.
• Active participant in Lifecycle Management from idea inception through Clearance and end of life.
• Strategic handling of vendor base with ability to find and develop strong vendor partners.

Assortment / Inventory Management

• Understand cost structure of product
• Help plan and manage merchandising assortments for e-commerce/web sites.
• Work with Inventory Analyst to ensure proper in-stock levels
• Manage negotiations relating to the return of discontinued product(s) to appropriate supplier.
• Negotiate annual purchasing agreement contracts with vendors

Collaboration

• Coordinate efforts with the marketing, visual display and advertising departments to promote and market key items, programs/brands and categories.
• Merchandise all marketing channel items for designated product categories. Present and justify all catalog/promotional items to merchandise directors and vice presidents.
• Partner with Sourcing on factory selection and cost negotiation.
• Participate in management of open-to-buy for assigned product categories with CMT and update as needed.
• When applicable; work directly with Signet's accounting department to ensure credits/aging are applied correctly.
• Assist CMT with issues on vendor performance, including late orders and quality control issues.
• Proofing of all advertising materials to ensure accuracy including catalogs, emails, web site, customer mailings, and in store signage.
• Work in collaboration with Visual Merchandising team for in-store presentations (planograms).
• Work cross-functionally with stores Ops team, VM, DC team and Planning on store test, Rollouts, RTV's