Associate Buyer, Hybrid

Belk, Inc.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Belk, Inc. is seeking an Associate Buyer to drive merchandise strategy and assortments for a portion of the business. This role supports the Buyer in purchase decisions, negotiations, and open-to-buy processes while collaborating with Planners to optimize performance.

The Associate Buyer will travel to markets and stores, develop financial plans, manage orders, and analyze trends to meet sales, margin, and turn targets. Bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years retail buying experience required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Is highly organized and able to multitask.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with peers and members of the merchant team.
• Demonstrates leadership and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans, based on customer feedback and preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives.
• Collaborate with Buyer and Planner on development of merchandise financial plans and by-door plans by providing regular and timely input; assist in building clusters and determining assortment layers.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with vendors.
• Select merchandise; negotiate best costs and delivery of product.
• Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information; implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved.
• Analyze the business to identify trends and capitalize on opportunities.
• Execute advertising strategies.
• Build a high-quality merchant team by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback.
• Travels to all necessary markets and store trips.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with peers and members of the merchant team.
• Analyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and class.
• Reacts to business trends in a timely and efficient manner.
• Maintains professionalism in work relationships and habits.
• Provides direction, counseling and coaching to staff.
• Develops creative solutions to business issues.
• Works effectively with staff and Divisional/BSS management to achieve sound financial and merchandising solutions based on analysis, input and experience.
• Identifies emerging trends and shops competition and market regularly.
• Communicates effectively with stores and vendors.

Skills

Analytical

Organized

Leadership

Communication

Merchandising

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Word

Excel

Job description

Associate Buyers are responsible for a select part of the Buyer’s overall business and must drive the merchandise strategy and assortments for this part of the business with the goal of meeting or exceeding sales, margin and turn targets. An Associate Buyer, with support from the Buyer, is responsible for the purchase and negotiation of merchandise for their business areas as well as the open to buy process. Associate Buyers partner with Planners to develop strategies to maximize business opportunities. Associate Buyers partner with the Assistant Planner to appropriately manage orders and analyze business trends.

Essential Functions:
Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans, based on customer feedback and preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives
Collaborate with Buyer and Planner on development of merchandise financial plans and by-door plans by providing regular and timely input; assist in building clusters and determining assortment layers
Build and maintain strong partnerships with vendors
Select merchandise; negotiate best costs and delivery of product
Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information; implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved
Analyze the business to identify trends and capitalize on opportunities
Execute advertising strategies
Build a high-quality merchant team by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback
Travels to all necessary markets and store trips
Builds and maintains productive relationships with peers and members of the merchant team
Analyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and class
Reacts to business trends in a timely and efficient manner
Maintains professionalism in work relationships and habits
Provides direction, counseling and coaching to staff
Develops creative solutions to business issues
Works effectively with staff and Divisional/BSS management to achieve sound financial and merchandising solutions based on analysis, input and experience
Identifies emerging trends and shops competition and market regularly
Communicates effectively with stores and vendors
Requires designated hybrid in-office work schedule

Education:
Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent years of experience

Work Experience:
1-3 years of retail buying experience required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Is highly organized and able to multitask
Builds and maintains productive relationships with peers and members of the merchant team
Demonstrates leadership and decision-making skills
Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills
Analyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and class
Reacts to business trends in a timely and efficient manner
Adapts to shifting circumstances in a business environment
Possesses strong merchandising, product and marketing skills
Proficient in business-related computer software (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, etc.)

Additional Job Description

Pay Range
$56,000 - $90,000

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to achievements, skills, experience, or work location. The range listed is just one component of the compensation package offered to candidates.

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