Buyer

Category : Apparel, base layer, active

Salary : Low to mid 90’s

Location : Midwest (major city)

Position will require relocation within the Midwest to another major city (this position is NOT in Indianapolis but is a great place to find solid Merchants).

Relocation assistance provided.

Our client has a rich history, great tenure and continues to grow! Work in a fun, face paced, and family-oriented work environment.

Enjoy work life balance. This company cares about their employees, customers and the quality of their product.

Summary :

Are you ready to take your expertise in retail strategy and product development to the next level? We're seeking a dynamic and innovative Merchant to join our team and drive impactful product strategies that captivate consumers and ignite sales growth.

As a Merchant, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping our brand's story through strategic product assortment and pricing strategies.

With a supportive team and a culture of collaboration, you'll have the freedom to unleash your creativity and make a real impact on our bottom line.

Responsibilities :

• Analyze sales performance, assortment, and competitor offerings to optimize product strategies.
• Identify opportunities for new product strategies and business growth based on market insights.
• Develop long-term forecasting and product strategies to drive sales growth.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop products aligned with brand values and target margins.
• Finalize product assortment, colors, sizing, and pricing based on data-driven insights.
• Partner with Inventory Planning to forecast demand and optimize inventory levels.
• Monitor sales trends to inform pricing and inventory management decisions.
• Stay informed about market trends to influence product strategies and identify new opportunities.
• Determine pricing strategies based on financial goals and competition.
• Ensure product quality meets or exceeds customer expectations through collaboration with design teams.

Business analytics : Consistently drives sales performance by analyzing sales and assortment along with competitors’ assortments, pricing and catalog / web presentations.

Use analysis to recommend with confidence the optimal product, pricing, and promotional strategies to Design and Marketing.

Product Selection and Communication : Selects assortment, colors and sizing that are consistent with the brands and based on financial history, customer votes, competitive landscape, and emerging trends.

Communicates and influences this product strategy to Design and Marketing partners.

Inventory Management : Partners with Inventory Planning to rank and forecast products based on history, customer feedback, inventory turn, and customer service goals.

In addition, monitors inventory levels to determine timing of price changes, sales, and clearance.

Market Knowledge : Builds a broad knowledge base of the relevant competitor’s products, pricing, and promotional strategies.

Collaborates with design to ensure this knowledge is incorporated into design strategy

Vendor Relationship Management : Builds win-win’ relationships with all suppliers working collaboratively with sourcing by clearly communicating needs and goals and by quantifying and confidently asking for what is needed from each vendor.

Pricing : Determines item pricing based on a combination of financial goals using both margin goals and pricing landscape with the competition.

Cost engineering garments and pricing with perceived value between products.

Quality : Collaboratively works with Product Development team to ensure that all products meet or exceed the customer’s needs and expectations.

Qualifications :

• Bachelors degree or equivalent
• 5+ years buying or merchandising experience
• Demonstrated success in managing and growing a business
• Strong analytical skills, understanding of financial metrics and understanding of business development
• Highly developed communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively cross-functionally and to influence ideas internally
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills (will manage 1-4 based on skill level)

Please include code M-LIR0324 (or PS- LIR0324) when applying.