Our retail fashion client is looking for a Buyer/Category Manager to add to their growing team! This person will report to the Director of Merchandising. They will be responsible for the merchandising activities of the assigned categories (dresses), managing product aligned to the brand and ensuring compliance with product standards. They will work closely with the Design, Fit, Production and Planning Teams, in line with the overall brand vision in both private label programs and line-vendor product selection.
Job Description
- Achieves all key financial goals established in the annual category budget for sales goals, gross profit percentage and dollars, inventory turnover and end-of-season inventory
- Works with Merchandising Directors and Design Directors to establish short-term and long-term strategies for the brand, including the general merchandising plan, assortment planning and pricing strategy for the category
- Provides relevant recommendations for partner services for future product development and selection, including recommendations for fabrics, designs, pricing, quantities, merchandise movement, promotional and price reduction strategies as well as the overall vision of the brand
- Shows strong analytical skills and market awareness
- Collaborates with the design team to determine trends for the brand, ensure the arrangement possibilities of the products in the assortment and the development of the best products
- Participates in fitting sessions to ensure that the product vision is respected
- Establishes partnerships with external suppliers to promote the development of brand-appropriate products within their area of expertise
- Selects and works with best in class line-vendors to procure brand-appropriate
product complementary to that being developed in-house - Negotiates best cost to ensure optimal value for our customer
- Assists the marketing, e-commerce and visual presentation teams in writing editorial content, as requested
- Performs store visits regularly, including periodic visits to alternate markets within the chain. Visits our stores as well as competition stores to collect store operations and customers feedback on fabrics, colors, trends, pricing, sales promotions, visual displays, and reports back other relevant information to the Director of Merchandising.
- Manages the Performance Management cycle by conducting Annual Appraisals, 3 Month Appraisals and the Mid-Year Reviews in a timely manner
Requirements
- 10 years of experience in a similar position
- Bilingual
- Good knowledge of merchandising systems and Excel software
- Experience in product development and product line purchasing
- Good communication skills
- Excellent negotiation skills