Director of Merchandise (Senior Apparel Buyer)

JRoss Recruiters; Calgary; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail recruitment agency seeks a dynamic leader to drive merchandise strategy and operational excellence in Calgary, Alberta. You will manage product storytelling, vendor negotiations, and team development while fostering customer satisfaction in alignment with corporate culture. The ideal candidate has strong communication skills, expertise in inventory management, and the ability to inspire teams to achieve performance goals. This role offers an exciting opportunity for those passionate about retail leadership and western wear.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results within a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrated experience in team-building, goal-setting, and fostering a high-performance team culture.
• Expertise in vendor negotiation, inventory management, and visual merchandising.

Responsibilities

• Apply in-depth product knowledge and market insights to curate compelling merchandise stories.
• Create and manage a promotional calendar to drive seasonal sales and launch new products.
• Collaborate with the Director of Retail for promotions and strategic target setting.
• Ensure consistent core product availability through supplier partnerships.
• Define Visual Merchandising standards for cohesive brand representation.
• Analyze sales performance to guide pricing and product decisions.
• Develop vendor partnerships and negotiate favorable terms.
• Attend trade shows and analyze trends for inventory goals.
• Lead the Merchandise Buying team to promote operational excellence.
• Track order progress and oversee inventory allocation.

Skills

Managing multiple priorities

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Vendor negotiation

Inventory management

Visual merchandising

Team-building

Proactive problem-solving

Job description

• Apply in-depth product knowledge and market insights to curate compelling merchandise stories across categories.
• Create and manage a promotional calendar to drive seasonal sales and launch new products.
• Collaborate with the Director of Retail to synchronize promotions with weekly product flow, setting strategic targets with the Merchandise Buyers.
• Ensure consistent core product availability by fostering strong supplier partnerships and accurate inventory forecasting.
• Define and uphold Visual Merchandising standards to ensure cohesive brand representation in all locations.

Operational Excellence

• Analyze sales performance by category and location to guide pricing, product quality, and assortment decisions.
• Develop strong vendor partnerships, negotiating favorable terms, exclusivity, and pricing benefits.
• Attend trade shows, analyze trends, and set inventory goals to ensure timely stock flow and strategic replenishment.
• Lead the Merchandise Buying team, promoting operational excellence in line with company policies and budget goals.
• Track order progress and oversee inventory allocation to align with store profiles and seasonal trends.

Customer Focus

• Work with the Marketing Manager and Director of Retail to stay current on trends, customer preferences, and product quality feedback.
• Utilize customer insights to guide product selection, ensuring the merchandise resonates with the brand’s core audience.

People First

• Inspire, mentor, and develop the Buying team to meet and exceed performance goals, fostering a positive, high-performing culture.
• Partner with senior leaders on performance evaluations, growth plans, and succession planning to build a strong team foundation.

Requirements

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results within a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrated experience in team-building, goal-setting, and fostering a high-performance team culture.
• Expertise in vendor negotiation, inventory management, and visual merchandising.

Corporate Culture

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a dynamic merchandise strategy. If you have a passion for western wear, team leadership, and driving customer satisfaction, we invite you to apply!

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