Buyer

PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc.; Burlington; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking a Buyer to manage merchandise strategy and product selection at their Canada Home Office. The role involves leading vendor negotiations and maximizing sales through effective product assortment and pricing strategies. With a minimum of 4 years of retail experience and a relevant bachelor's degree required, candidates should have strong communication, analytical, and negotiation skills. The position is hybrid, with flexibility in work location, fostering collaboration and innovation among team members.

Benefits

On-site Dog Park

Café serving fresh lunch options

Flexible work environment

Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities

In-building daycare facility option

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Business, Economics or related field required.
• Minimum 4 years of retail experience with direct buying experience.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage product assortment to maximize sales and margin.
• Negotiate product costs and manage vendor relationships.
• Provide input to determine product lifecycle and exit strategies.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Business, or Economics

Job description

About the Team

PetSmart’s Canada Home Office (CHO) is home to approximately 50+ associates who work in departments such as Merchandising, Marketing, Demand Planning, Pricing, Space Planning, Digital/e-Commerce, Human Resources, Legal, IT and more. The small but mighty team at the CHO supports the operations of 160+ PetSmart stores in Canada and works closely with counterparts at PetSmart’s global corporate headquarters located in Phoenix, Arizona. We also share the Canada Home Office with our colleagues at PetSmart Charities of Canada—an independent, registered charity. PetSmart Charities of Canada is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them by connecting pets with loving homes through adoption, improving access to veterinary care and supporting families in times of crisis with access to pet food, shelter, and emergency relief.

About the Location

At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Canada Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of three days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to two remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

About the Job

As a Buyer, you are responsible for setting and managing the merchandise strategy, assortment selection, pricing, and promotions to facilitate sales. You will manage product selection to maximize sales and margin dollars in support of the business and financial goals of the Merchandising department, lead the effort to direct vendor selection and negotiation of product purchase terms in addition to develop and maintain ongoing relationships with selected vendors, and stay abreast of current and future market and competitor trends that will impact the business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage product assortment and product specifications in assigned areas to identify and address opportunities within the business and the market to maximize sales and margin opportunities
• Provide leadership for negotiating product costs, terms and shipping/returns issues in addition to being the liaison between supply chain, distribution centers and stores
• Develop and manage vendor relationships in order to ensure the best prices, products and shipments, identifying products and developing promotional plans to maximize marketing strategies to deliver sales and margin metrics based on internal and external data
• Work collaboratively to provide input to the other merchandising functions to determine the product lifecycle, exit strategy and inventory aging standards within the assigned area
• Assist with the development of financial plans that maximize sales, margin dollars, margin percentage and profitability targets
• Participate in recommending, setting and approving product pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives, implement exit strategies and recommend appropriate markdowns

Experience / Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Business, Economics or related degree from an accredited 4 year college or university required
• Minimum 4 years of retail experience that includes direct buying experience plus cross functional experience and training in various facets of Merchandising such as pricing, planning, presentation management and replenishment
• Effective communication, analytical, negotiation and organizational skills and solid financial and business acumen
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to foster relationships to create value for internal and external customers

Additional Job Considerations

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our Canada Home Office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Bring your pup to work! We have lots of dogs that come each day as well as fish and aquatic pets that live at our office
• On-site Dog Park
• Café serving fresh lunch options
• In-building day care facility option
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• We have an active social committee that hosts fun-filled events including contests, bake-offs, off-site events, and volunteer efforts, and they are always trying to out-do the previous event! See what life is like at the Canada Home Office here: https://careers.petsmart.com/canada
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/

This posting reflects an existing vacancy, and we are actively seeking candidates for this role. PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.