Associate Buyer, Wall & Garden - West Elm

Associate Buyer

You will be part of a collaborative team responsible for creating assortment strategies based on analyzing sales and trend. Our job blends creativity, analytics, and marketing. As the Associate Buyer, you will work closely with a very passionate and collaborative group of team members that are excited about Merchandising!

You will develop business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, sales and profits for one department or assigned area. You will be responsible for coordinating information across functions working closely with Design, Inventory Management, Sourcing, Production, Packaging and Visual to ensure the process is followed and timelines met. You will attend and participate in design meetings while identifying opportunities and recommending new product or concepts for the department.

Responsibilities include :

• Perform market analysis obtain feedback from stores, competitive shop and analyze sales trends to keep abreast of current trends, make recommendations to improve product, and add to collections
• Develop and communicate annual and seasonal strategies to functional areas (Inventory, Design, Sourcing, Production, Packaging, Visual)
• Collaborate with Inventory Management to develop annual and seasonal financial plans and to provide Sourcing and Production Management with purchase quantities, delivery dates, flow and exit strategies for initial cost and production negotiations for new programs
• Provide Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, target retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (big bets), flow to DC and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plans
• Collaborate with Inventory Management to recommend adjustments (markdowns, delivery changes and quantity changes) to the plan to maximize sales, profits, budget (OTB) and to protect the brand; determine contests and provide awards
• For assigned area, approve final : Product collections, order quantities, costing and delivery dates, changes that affect production deadlines and plan objectives, floor plan layouts, signage and in-store collateral
• Provide information to Visual team on in-store promotion strategies and placement of marked down goods
• Resolves and escalates difficult issues to Buyer, Call Center, and Stores
• Summarize and communicate merchandising information for store newsletters and emails Coordinate with Store Operation for disseminating information through appropriate channels
• Communicate pre-ticketing instructions to Sourcing and Production. Provide Inventory Management with pre-ticketing prices
• Provide Merchandise Coordinator with product information (facts, pricing) to create Product Information sheets
• Provide SKU information to Merchandising Operations for input
• Operate a computer and communicate via telephone
• Transport materials and equipment and lift, move, and carry objects up to 50 pounds on a limited basis

Criteria include :

Our Culture & Values

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available :

Continued Learning

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration). This role is not eligible for relocation assistance. The expected starting pay range for this position is $75,000 - $80,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.