Effectively plan to ensure that top line sales goals and bottom line profit goals are met by overseeing the execution of brand strategies.
Direct assortments that support the needs of the customer and the financial objectives of the merchandising division.
Procures merchandise in the appropriate quantities, within the appropriate time framework at the best prices.
Establish strong relationships and a thorough understanding of the customer and/or consumer to maximize potential.
Communicate daily with Sr Buyer on all aspect of the business, keeping him/her informed of performances, strategies and any issues that may occur that affect the department.
Work with Planner to create an assortment plan by category for future seasons and present current financial open to buy position on a monthly basis.
Work with Planning on promotion and pos weekly.
Work with Store planning/allocation on inventory matters weekly.
Work with the Marketing/Visual team to communicate key items and messages and oversee floor set (product placement) and communicate marketing needs.
Analyze sales, margin, and all other aspects of the business information in weekly review sessions.
Shop/travel to trade shows to identify upcoming trends that pertain to the brand.
Visit stores to review presentation, identify opportunities, suggestions, and needs.
Shop competing and inspirational venues to monitor fashion trends, pricing strategies and presentation techniques.
Brand Management
Define and create assortment strategy to maximize sales and profitability for the department (from trend shopping, to line plan creation, to proto development, to line finalization).
Oversee all information flow between the product organization and TAF Merchandising.
Write Private Brand Financial Strategy, targets and receipt plans for the Buy Meeting.
Communicate to division the private brand merchandise and business strategies based on the plans.
Partner with Sr Buyer in execution of seasonal private brand sales and margin plans.
Generate support of the line and financial plans by gathering product performance input from division, sharing line development and direction, and promoting the assortments.
Recap and analyze all order placements, write corporate callouts, approve lap dips/spec sign offs and follow through to make sure changes are implemented.
Responsible for identifying and communicating to private brand team all reorders and new emerging opportunities.
Cross-Functional Responsibilities
Collaborates with cross-functional teams within the division.
Assist marketing in the development of marketing plans and campaigns to support assortments.
Ensure merchandise strategies are executed on the store level.
Partner with marketing director on time and action calendar for each season.
Provide leadership to division and product staff through product category expertise.
Regular, dependable attendance and punctuality.
Produce a Quarterly Report & use it to build QBR presentations for vendor partners.
Essential Education /Qualifications:
Minimum 5 years buying experience including both retail buying experience and brand management/merchandising experience.
Financial and Business Acumen: Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive results.
Analytical: High Proficiency in retail math and analytical skills. Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from quantitative and qualitative data.
Problem Solving & Decision Quality: Able to use rigorous logic and methods to solve problems with effective solutions.
High proficiency and solid foundation of Microsoft Office Programs such as MS Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint.
Knowledge of industry best practices and demonstrated knowledge/ability for assortment curation, planning and analytics and how they support the long-range merchandise strategy.
Data input with high accuracy rate required.
Critical and Independent Thinker that drives solutions.
Extremely detailed oriented.
Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow through on all aspects of responsibility.
Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
Excellent written and verbal skills.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.
Strong communication skills in regards to business analytics and strategic thought process.
Excellent fashion sense and good taste level as it relates to product.
A passion for and deep understanding of the athletic lifestyle space
Driven and determined to achieve results in a fast paced-start up oriented working environment.
Relationship Management: Able to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners.
Effective speaker and listener in a variety of settings including one-on-one, small and large groups.
Can present ideas and directions that lead others to action.
Demonstrate an ability to set objectives and goals and organize work appropriately to meet and exceed goals.
Anticipate risks and identifies contingency plans and processes to prevent disruptions when risks occur.
Can thrive in a fast-moving, flexible environment in which people are stretched both in the breadth and depth of their responsibilities. Comfortable with change.