Buyer II

Jared; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Signet Jewelers in Akron, OH, is seeking a seasoned Buyer for Category Management to lead assortment planning and vendor partnerships across designated product categories. You will shape strategy, negotiate with vendors, and drive lifecycle management to meet consumer demand and profitability.

You will collaborate with Marketing, VM, and Planning to execute promotions, optimize inventory, and ensure product value and styling across brands.

Qualifications

• Experience in category management for consumer products or fashion/jewelry is preferred.
• Strong analytic and financial-planning skills with ability to translate trends into assortments.
• Proven negotiation skills with vendors and ability to manage end-to-end lifecycle of products.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and optimize merchandise assortments for designated product categories.
• Lead product development concepts, testing, pricing and vendor relationships.
• Coordinate with Marketing, VM, and Planning to drive promotions and inventory strategy.
• Oversee lifecycle management from idea to end-of-life and drive quarterly business reviews.

Skills

Category Management

Product Development

Inventory Management

Vendor Negotiations

Cross-functional Collaboration

Job description

Signet Jewelers is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating more than 2,800 stores worldwide under the iconic brands: Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Rocksbox, JamesAllen.com and Diamonds Direct. We are a people-first company and this core value is at the heart of everything we do, from empowering our valued team members, to collaborating with our customers, to fostering the communities in which we live and serve. People – and the love their actions inspire – are what drive us. We’re not only proud of the love we inspire outside our walls, we’re especially proud of the diversity, inclusion and equity we’re inspiring inside. There are dynamic career paths awaiting you – rewarding opportunities to impact the lives of others and inspire love. Join us!

The responsibility of the buyer is to develop merchandise assortments and strategies to drive profitable category sales and productivity, while ensuring product value, quality and styling. The buyer holds a leadership role within the category management team (CMT). Working within the CMT, the buyer is responsible for all aspects of assortment planning, selection, maintenance and promotion, for designated product categories.

Category Management

• Partner withLeaderto set strategic vision for Category
• Ability to adjust quickly, if needed, to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.
• Analyze and React to Business on a weekly basis
• Participate in the development of financial plans and advertising/marketing plans for designated product categories.
• Assist in all business reviews for all designated product categories to Leadership.
• Oversee training and career development for Direct Reports / Team

Product Development

• Develop, select, test, price and acquire quality merchandise consistent with consumer demand, and in keeping with strategic department goals and policies.
• Up-to-date knowledge of jewelry market trends and competitive strategies.
• Develop new product concepts/brands for test market(s), with potential for expanded store roll out.
• Manage Lifecycle Management process from idea inception through Clearance and end of life.
• Strategic handling of vendor base with ability to find and develop strong vendor partners.

Assortment / Inventory Management

• Understanding of Product cost structure
• Co-Manage and plan merchandising assortments for e-commerce/web sites.
• Work with Inventory Analyst to ensure proper in-stock levels
• Manage negotiations relating to the return of discontinued product(s) to appropriate supplier
• Negotiate annual purchasing agreement contracts with vendors.

Collaboration

• Coordinate efforts with the marketing, visual display and advertising departments to promote and market, key items, programs/brands and categories.
• Merchandise all marketing channel items for designated product categories.Present and justify all catalog/promotional items to merchandise directors and vice presidents.
• Partner with Sourcing on factory selection and cost negotiation.
• Partner with Financial Planning team on open-to-buy for assigned product categories.
• When applicable; work directly with Signet’s accounting department to ensure credits/aging are applied correctly.
• Assist CMT with issues on vendor performance, including late orders and quality control issues.
• Proofing of all advertising materials to ensure accuracy including catalogs, emails, web site, customer mailings, and in store signage.
• Work with Visual Merchandising team on in-store presentations (planograms).
• Cross-functional work with Store Op, VM, DC team and Planning on various projects including test, expansions, recalls