Buyer Assistant

Follett Higher Education; Westchester (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Follett Higher Education in Westchester, IL seeks a Merchandise Buyer to support sales and merchandise strategy. You will prepare weekly sales reports for GM and Operations, analyze sales data, and coordinate with Merchandising Control on SKU and pricing.

The role requires strong Excel skills, retail experience, and excellent communication. You will work cross-functionally to execute assortments and manage vendor relationships for test and seasonal programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Educational background in business, marketing, or retail merchandise preferred.
• Work experience in a retail environment is required.
• Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills, including an understanding of retail math.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and build relationships with other departments.

Responsibilities

• Prepares weekly sales reports for distribution to GM and Operations management teams.
• Analyzes sales using reporting tools (MMS, RetailIDEAS) for assortment reviews and vendor reviews.
• Works closely with Merchandise Control to maintain SKU and pricing information.
• Communicates vendor/product information to Planning and Allocation including assortment plans and lead times.
• Assists in the assortment execution online including gathering images and proofreading copy.
• Executes purchase orders for test programs and seasonal programs.
• Responds to inquiries from the field operations team regarding product assortments for locations.
• Corresponds with prospective vendors and communicates status in the review process.
• Keeps vendors updated on product, pricing, minimums, terms, shipping, labor code compliance, imagery.
• Updates and distributes assortment plans, term sheets, and letters to vendors.
• Proofing: Verifies pricing and vendor information in the system; proofs letters.
• Sample Management: Maintains and organizes vendor samples of approved assortment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Oral & written communication

Retail math

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Business/Marketing/Retail merchandising background preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• Prepares weekly sales reports for distribution to GM and Operations management teams
• Analyzes sales using reporting tools (MMS, RetailIDEAS) as needed for assortment reviews, vendor reviews, internal/external presentations, test programs, and additional reporting as necessary to support sales and merchandise strategy.
• Works closely with Merchandise Control team to maintain SKU and pricing information.
• Communicates vendor/product information to the Planning and Allocation team including assortment plans, and lead times.
• Assists in the assortment execution online including gathering images and proofreading copy.
• Executes purchase orders for test programs and seasonal programs.
• Responds to inquiries from the field operations team regarding product assortments for the existing and new retail locations.
• Corresponds with prospective vendors on an ongoing basis and communicates status in the review process.
• Communicates with vendors continually regarding the product, pricing, minimums, terms, shipping, labor code compliance, digital imagery, and other vendor-related concerns.
• Updates and distributes assortment plans, term sheets, and correspondence letters to vendors
• Proofing: Verifies that pricing and vendor information is accurate in the system. Proofreads correspondence letters.
• Sample Management: Maintains and organizes vendor samples of approved assortment.

#26-30410

Westchester, Illinois, USA

Job Category

Merchandise Buying

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-time

Responsibilities

• Prepares weekly sales reports for distribution to GM and Operations management teams
• Analyzes sales using reporting tools (MMS, RetailIDEAS) as needed for assortment reviews, vendor reviews, internal/external presentations, test programs, and additional reporting as necessary to support sales and merchandise strategy.
• Works closely with Merchandise Control team to maintain SKU and pricing information.
• Communicates vendor/product information to the Planning and Allocation team including assortment plans, and lead times.
• Assists in the assortment execution online including gathering images and proofreading copy.
• Executes purchase orders for test programs and seasonal programs.
• Responds to inquiries from the field operations team regarding product assortments for the existing and new retail locations.

Vendor Relationship Management

• Corresponds with prospective vendors on an ongoing basis and communicates status in the review process.
• Communicates with vendors continually regarding the product, pricing, minimums, terms, shipping, labor code compliance, digital imagery, and other vendor-related concerns.
• Updates and distributes assortment plans, term sheets, and correspondence letters to vendors
• Proofing: Verifies that pricing and vendor information is accurate in the system. Proofreads correspondence letters.
• Sample Management: Maintains and organizes vendor samples of approved assortment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Educational background in business, marketing, or retail merchandise preferred.
• Work experience in a retail environment is required.
• Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Must possess superior oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills, including an understanding of retail math.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and build relationships with other departments.