Buyer III

Signet Jewelers; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Signet Jewelers is seeking a Sr. Buyer to manage large product categories and lead the category management team. You will develop merchandise assortments and strategies to drive profitable sales, ensuring product value, quality and styling aligned with market trends.

In this role, you will lead open-to-buy planning, negotiate with vendors, and collaborate with marketing, sourcing and inventory teams to optimize assortment lifecycle from concept to end of life.

Qualifications

• Experience in category management and leadership within a merchandising team.
• Strong knowledge of jewelry market trends and vendor negotiations.
• Ability to develop and execute assortments, pricing and promotions.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic vision for designated product categories and manage category planning.
• Lead vendor partner strategy, negotiate contracts and manage annual purchasing terms.
• Collaborate with marketing, visual display and sourcing to optimize catalogs and campaigns.
• Oversee training and development for direct reports and team members.

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!

Job Profile Summary

The Sr. Buyer likely manages large product categories or multiple product categories and potentially has Buyers directly reporting to them. The responsibility of the Sr. 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

• Set strategic vision for Category.
• Ability to adjust quickly, if needed, to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.
• Adjust strategy as needed based on weekly business review.
• Participate in the development of financial plans and advertising/marketing plans for designated product categories.
• As a CMT leader, present business reviews for all designated product categories to Leadership.
• Strategic handling of vendor base with ability to find and develop strong vendor partners. Regularly connects with Key Vendor Partners to strategize business.
• Oversee training and career development for Direct Reports / Team.
• Play key leadership role in broader team training and development.
• Personal Career Development/Training.

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.
• Drive Lifecycle Management process from idea inception through Clearance and end of life. Work with Inventory Analysts to ensure proper in-stock levels.

Assortment / Inventory Management

• Co-Manage and plan merchandising assortments for e-commerce/web sites.
• 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 the open-to-buy for assigned product categories with CMT.
• Assist CMT with issues on vendor performance, including late orders and quality control issues.