Assistant Buyer

Century 21 Stores; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Century 21 NYC is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support the Buyer’s plan, help with merchandise selection, and manage replenishment orders as approved. You will partner with the planning team to optimize store assortments and assist in vendor relations.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication. A hybrid NYC work arrangement is expected with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Commitment to Century 21’s Core Values and Higher Purpose.

Responsibilities

• Serve as FlourishC21 ambassador and uphold Century 21’s values.
• Drive revenue by procuring top brands and compelling product at sharp prices.
• Be fashion-forward and take calculated risks.
• Analyze weekly business performance and advise on actions with the buyer.
• Execute the merchandise plan and enhance guest experience.
• Collaborate with planning to develop by-store assortment plans for in-stock positioning.
• Act as key contact for vendors, DC, and cross-functional partners to resolve receipts issues.
• Monitor competitors’ strengths and strategies.
• Communicate merchandise direction to store management and teams.
• Stay aware of market trends.
• Build and maintain vendor relationships.
• Assist in developing and training Clerical and Merchandise Assistant.

Skills

Retail math

Strategic thinker

Highly organized

Adaptable to changing priorities

Communication skills

Negotiation

Attention to detail

Financial analysis

Collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

THE ROLE

The Assistant Buyer understands the comprehensive implementation plan provided by the Buyer and takes proactive action to fully support its successful execution. Must be strategic and confident enough to work with key principals from all major companies in the industry. Assists with the merchandise selection process, conducts order follow-up and is aware of inventory flow; places replenishment orders if approved for this action.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a FlourishC21 ambassador by embracing and demonstrating Century 21’s Higher Purpose of “Delivering Value to Live Better” and Core Values.
• Drive revenue by procuring the best brands and the most compelling product assortments, at the sharpest prices.
• Demonstrates a passion to be fashion forward and fashion-right, unafraid to take risks.
• Analyzes business performance weekly and works with buyer to take appropriate business actions.
• Accepts Buyer directives and accountability for the execution of the merchandise plan, while proactively taking self-imposed actions to enhance the guest experience.
• Works with the planning organization to develop by-store assortment plans that support overall strategy of in-stock positioning for key merchandise categories, classifications, items and vendors.
• Serves as key point-of-contact for vendors, distribution center, and internal cross-functional partners to troubleshoot merchandise receipt issues.
• Understands competitor’s strengths, weaknesses and strategies.
• Communicates through effective and appropriate channels, to store management and team members, to fully maintain merchandise direction and standards.
• Aware of market trends.
• Takes part in the process of building and upholding relationships with vendors and interacts with the vendor community.
• Participates in the development and training of Clerical and Merchandise Assistant.

QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty above at the highest levels. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Consistently demonstrate a commitment to C21’s Core Values and Higher Purpose: Delivering Value to Live Better.
• Highly organized and ability to adapt to quickly changing priorities in fast-paced off price environment.
• Minimum 1 years relevant work history OR applicable educational background
• Strategic thinker, have vision by being aware of surroundings, absorb new ideas, new ways and flexible enough to drive new direction by thinking long term.
• Strong retail math acumen, including elements of markup, margin planning and open to buy.
• Ability to work well with all levels of management, build partnerships and direct teams.
• Strong attention to detail, negotiation, business and financial analysis skills.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

COMPENSATION

$65,000 - $75,000/Annual
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Location: Hybrid The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear; use hands to finger, and handle controls. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, and stoop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Century 21 NYC is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or genetic information.