Assistant Buyer

Cato Corporation; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Assistant Buyer at Cato Corporation supports the Buyer in achieving financial goals and partners with cross-functional teams to execute assortment strategies efficiently. You will handle on-order management, price changes, and sample organization while prepping for meetings and translating market trends for customers.

Ideal candidates have 1–3 years in Merchandise Buying with a strong fashion sense, retail math skills, and the ability to analyze the department’s performance and competitive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required.
• 1-3 years of related experience in Merchandise Buying.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Maintain daily operational functions including on-order management and price changes.
• Prepare for meetings and manage related spreadsheets.
• Build cross functional relationships with product development, tech, design, planning & allocation, visual, and e-commerce.
• Understand brand positioning and customer target to aid in product selection.

Skills

Attention to detail

Sense of urgency

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Flex PLM

Retek Data Warehouse

RMS

Vista

Price Change

PO System

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Buyer supports the Buyer in achieving or succeeding financial metrics both seasonally and annually, as well as partner with all cross functional teams to execute assortment strategies efficiently and accurately. This includes maintaining operational functions such as writing orders, executing price changes, and managing samples as well as prepping for all meetings. In addition, the Assistant Buyer must have an acute fashion sense, with the ability to recognize and translate market trends for the customer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain daily operational functions. Key tasks include on-order management, price changes, sample organization, meeting prep, and all associated spreadsheets.
• Proficient or will gain proficiency in all systems including: Microsoft Office, Flex PLM, Retek Data Warehouse, RMS, Vista, Price Change and PO System
• Establish and build strong cross functional relationships including product development, tech, design, planning & allocation, visual, and e commerce
• Financial understanding and utilization of basic retail math to help analyze the department’s business on a day to day basis.
• Understand Brand Positioning and target customer to aid in the selection of product that is commercially viable.
• Be the expert in competitive intelligence: understanding other retailer’s assortment, pricing and promotional strategy in comparison to Cato.
• Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience

WORK EXPERIENCE:

1 - 3 years of related work experience in Merchandise Buying

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Must be accurate, proactive, display a sense of urgency, and be able to anticipate next
• Ability to manage through conflict and problem-solve
• Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Systems and computer savvy, including Microsoft Office Applications