Buyer

Position Purpose: Coordinate, execute and manage the activities of a Buying department, classification or key program, depending on scope and complexity. Assist the Senior Buyer/DMM in developing, executing and communicating a product strategy that meets or exceeds financial goals. Essential Functions: Analyze product trends and historical data at departmental/classification level. Support and compile data as needed to aid in developing seasonal strategies and financial targets. Attend pre-season meetings between Buying and Planning. Create assortment sheets. Update with changes, distribute and communicate changes to appropriate business partners on an ongoing basis. Provide input in line edit meetings. Provide support and compile data to aid in assessing product assortment. Participate in product review meetings with cross-functional teams. Participate in bottom-up planning meetings that determine quantities for all styles. Evaluate buys at style, class and department level against initial plans, and determine retail prices for all styles. Participate in management review meetings of bottoms-up plans. Provide support and compile data for senior management line reviews. Attend meetings as appropriate. Ensure the financial success of the area by meeting or exceeding financial targets including sales, GM, GMROI and turn goals. Review sales performance and marketplace information to identify sales trends and business opportunities. Provide input and make recommendations to management on changes to future product assortments and strategies based on in-season analysis and observations. Provide input in sales forecast and OTB discussions that review sales and inventory against financial goals, and recommend changes to future order quantities, deliveries, pricing or markdown strategies. Develop expert knowledge of customer base by participating in local store visits. Evaluate product execution and point of view. Get customer and store associate feedback to communicate to management. Participate in competitive analysis of both direct competitors and stores we look to for trend inspiration by shopping their stores. Learn to evaluate product assortments, quality, pricing, merchandising strategies and business opportunities. Document as needed. Participate in weekly cross-functional meetings to share information on current business issues. Communicate with field to get input on sales, fit, etc., to communicate to management. Provide training and feedback as needed to peers, Associate and Assistant Buyers through on the job training, behavioral feedback, modeling, coaching and identifying opportunities for formal training. Work efficiently as a member of a cross-functional team with Merchandising, Planning, Production and Distribution by focusing on objectives and clear communication. Education: Bachelor's Degree Experience Level: Mid Level Years of Experience: 4-6 Years Requirements: Ability to build close relationships with retail staff who sell related apparel item(s) you are assigned to move. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex sales reports to evaluate buy decisions and/or sell item(s) to customers at a higher or lower price. Knowledge of merchandise trends and their financial implications. An understanding of basic merchandising, planning and the retail industry. Knowledge of how to obtain information from systems and spreadsheets. Possess a clear understanding of financial measurements and how to utilize them in voicing and making decisions. Effective listening, presentation, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to facilitate multiple tasks in a fast pace environment. Ability to identify priorities and organize and plan activities to ensure proper and timely execution. Able to work as a member of a team and analyze a problem skillfully by formulating a logical rationale for the decision and action taken. Preferred: Bachelor's degree in any of the following: Fashion Buying preferred, Merchandising, Retail Management, Marketing, Economics, Business Administration. #J-18808-Ljbffr Guess?, LLC.