Buyer for Performance Supplements

Jerseydigs; Secaucus (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vitamin Shoppe in Secaucus, NJ is seeking a Buyer who will own the P&L for performance supplements, shaping strategic direction and managing large, complex categories. You will partner with cross-functional teams to set budgets, drive assortment, and optimize margins in a fast-paced health and wellness environment.

You will collaborate with Marketing, Inventory, Retail Operations, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Public Relations and Finance to execute category plans, vendor relationships and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Nutrition or a related field.
• 5–7+ years in progressive retail or CPG merchandising.
• Strong negotiation skills with multinational vendors.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and draw conclusions.
• Experience using market share data to inform promotions and assortment decisions.

Responsibilities

• Set and execute the category strategy, including brand and national products.
• Collaborate with planners to set inventory productivity targets and drive results.
• Develop category plans for sales, promotions, margins, and markdowns.
• Create balanced assortments and partner with private brands on opportunities.
• Lead monthly promotional cadence with marketing and pricing teams.

Skills

Merchandising

Vendor management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Nutrition

Job description

Overview

Buyer is responsible for the overall P&L, managing large, complex categories (performance supplements) as they set, communicate and execute strategic direction for their assigned categories. They are responsible for the planning and management of category sales, promotional activity, margin, inventory, product assortment and item data accuracy. In addition, they are to collaborate with Marketing, Inventory Team, Retail Operations, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Public Relations and Finance to achieve category plans and to share category insights. Buyers are the primary owner of vendor relationships for national branded and Vitamin Shoppe brand products.

Responsibilities

• Set, manage and execute the strategic direction for the category(s) to include both Vitamin Shoppe Brand and national branded product
• Collaborate with Category Planner to develop category inventory productivity targets, monitor receipts and work to implement strategic initiatives to drive results
• Develop and achieve category quantitative plans including sales, promotional mark downs and merchandise margin.
• Create well-balanced assortments partnering with Private brands on opportunities
• Develop and execute the monthly promotional cadence in partnership with the marketing and pricing teams
• Work with the Pricing team to determine competitive position of products against our various categories of competition
• Cultivate, sustain and be the primary owner of vendor relationship with a primary focus creating business opportunity
• Establishes and maintains a reputation of credibility and responsiveness in the marketplace (e.g. promptly returns vendor phone calls, ensure timely follow-up on issues, etc.)
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with cross-functional partners (Inventory, Private Brands, Marketing, Visual, MIO)
• Build and communicate category & market intelligence throughout the organization
• Proactively leads, develops and manages staff with a goal of developing internal merchandising bench strength
• Stay current on industry and competitive landscape by attending primary industry events and by regularly visiting competitors to understand what they offer and to validate our competitive advantages and positioning

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Associate Buyer
• Assistant Buyer

Key Performance Indicators

• Quantitative
  • Sales dollars
  • Margin dollars
  • Inventory productivity (Turn, GMROI)
• Qualitative
  • Assortment review
  • Promotion management

Qualifications

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Nutrition or related Field

Required Knowledge

• Current or previous category merchandising expertise in commodity/replenishment driven categories
• 5-7+ years in a progressive retail or CPG merchandising career
• Ability and passion to drive change and innovation within categories of accountability
• Strong vendor partner with strong negotiation skills and experience negotiating with multinational vendors.
• Advanced analytical rigor with ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Expertise using market share data to aid decision making and promotion cadence
• Passion for the health and wellness industry
• Passionate hands-on leader with the ability to execute in a fast paced organization