Buyer, Hybrid

Belk; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Belk is seeking a Merchandising Buyer in Charlotte, NC to lead the overall direction of a category or department. You will develop assortments, negotiate with vendors, and drive open-to-buy processes to meet sales, margin and turn targets.

This role partners with Planners and Allocators, analyzes performance by store and class, and builds strong vendor relationships while selecting merchandise and planning pricing and markdowns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 7-9 years retail experience required.
• 1-3 years retail buying experience required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows, Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans, based on customer feedback and preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives.
• 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.
• Creates all necessary analyses based on trends.
• Works with Planner and Allocator during the planning process: in-season planning & revisions, assortment plans, store plans.
• Identifies opportunities to improve overall plan quality.
• Communicates effectively with all merchandising levels and with stores and vendors.
• Builds and maintains strong partnerships with vendors and cross-functionally at Belk.
• Select merchandise; negotiate best costs and delivery of product.
• Manage all aspects of product placement, marketing and pricing/markdowns.
• Negotiate vendor allowances, returns, advertising co-op, and other terms as needed.
• Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance; implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved.
• Partner with Advertising and DMM to develop promotional strategies and identify key items that drive profitable sales.

Skills

Analytical skills

Retail math

Communication skills

Professionalism

Active listening

Multitasking

Merchandising skills

Marketing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Windows

Job description

Buyers are responsible for the overall merchandising direction of a category or department(s) with the goal of meeting/ exceeding sales, margin and turn targets. Buyers maintain a singular focus on the product and customer by incorporating competitive intelligence, customer insight, and business analysis. Buyers are responsible for the purchase and negotiation of merchandise as well as the open to buy process. Buyers partner with Planners to develop strategies to maximize business opportunities.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans, based on customer feedback and preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives
• 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
• Creates all necessary analysis based on trends
• Works with Planner and Allocator during the planning process: in-season planning & revisions, assortment plans, store plans
• Identifies opportunities to improve overall plan quality
• Communicates effectively with all merchandising levels
• Communicates effectively with stores and vendors
• Reacts to feedback based on store and customer needs
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with vendors and cross-functionally at Belk
• Select merchandise; negotiate best costs and delivery of product
• Manage all aspects of product placement, marketing and pricing/markdowns
• Negotiate vendor allowances, returns, advertising co-op, and other terms as needed
• Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information; implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved
• Partner with Advertising and DMM to develop promotional strategies and identify key items or classifications that drive profitable sales and communicate compelling messages to customers
• Build a high quality merchandising team by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback
• Leverages open-to-buy process to manage business in-season and maximize opportunities

Education

• Bachelor's Degree preferred

Work Experience

• 7-9 years retail experience required
• 1-3 years retail buying required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient in business-related computer software (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel)
• Excellent analytical and reasoning skills
• Clear retail math skills
• Maintains professionalism in work relationships and habits
• Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills
• Is multi-task oriented to meet deadlines.
• Possesses strong merchandising, product and marketing skills

Pay Range

• $90,000 - $155,000
• 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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