Assistant Buyer

Cato Corporation; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Cato Corporation is seeking an Assistant Buyer who will support the Buyer in meeting financial targets and help translate market trends into compelling assortments. You will manage orders, price changes, and samples, while preparing for meetings and maintaining key spreadsheets.

A strong fashion sense and comfort with data will drive accurate, timely decisions. This role requires 1–3 years in merchandising buying, solid analytical skills, and the ability to build relationships across product

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in Merchandise Buying is preferred.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain daily operational functions including on-order management, price changes, sample organization, meeting prep and related spreadsheets.
• Proficient with systems such as Microsoft Office, Flex PLM, Retek Data Warehouse, RMS, Vista, Price Change and PO System.
• Build cross functional relationships with product development, tech, design, planning & allocation, visual, and ecommerce.
• Apply basic retail math to analyze the department's business and performance.
• Understand brand positioning and customer to select commercially viable products.
• Stay informed about competitive pricing and promotions relative to Cato.
• Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives as assigned.

Skills

Attention to detail

Proactivity

Urgency

Conflict resolution

Cross-functional collaboration

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Analytical thinking

Systems and computer savvy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

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