Footwear Buyer

Cavender's; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cavender’s is seeking a senior Buyer to lead merchandising strategy from our Tyler home office. You will develop assortment plans, manage a high-performing team, and collaborate with Planning, Marketing, and Replenishment to optimize sales, margin and inventory across omni-channel channels.

You will drive customer-focused product strategies, analyze trends, and ensure on-brand product availability at the right time and place.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, or related field or equivalent work experience.
• 8+ years of progressive experience as a merchant in a specialty retail environment.
• 5+ years of progressive merchandising department management experience.
• A proven track record of developing and building a successful apparel or footwear business.
• Based in Tyler, TX at our home office; East Texas area residence.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Support the “Cavender’s Culture” and drive our Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Serve as a strategic partner and key support resource to the company.
• Create strategic plans for buying that meet the needs of the organization.
• Lead Merchandising Department Associates to deliver on financial and talent goals and objectives.
• Manage a high volume, complex or multi-department area which includes website for Omni-channel business.
• Make focused decisions based on brand integrity and company values to ensure an understanding of our core customer for highest customer satisfaction.
• Set priorities, foster cohesion, and provide motivation to cross-functional teams.
• Develop and communicate a conceptual assortment plan for department needs that tie to financial expectations (style assortment, key item needs, retails, IMU’s, AUR’s) in a timely manner.
• Partner with Planning to ensure the appropriate financial strategies and distribution to maximize sales, margin, and turn of the business.
• Determine quantities to order by style, size, and color; validate to OTB plan in a timely manner.
• Validate space with assortment plan to ensure appropriate depth is achieved by store volume (size).
• Maximize Web sales, margin and messaging.
• Partner with Director of Marketing to identify product to be advertised.
• Manage, develop and educate direct reports, to include Buyers, Associate Buyers, and Assistant Buyers, providing guidance, mentoring and coaching.
• Assess the competition with respect to financial condition, trends, marketing, and product strategy; react accordingly to ensure market leadership.
• Step into leadership situations and project leads as directed by the VP of Merchandising.
• Partner with Planning, Replenishment and Allocation associates to calculate algorithms and assist the company in improving and developing a mastery of inventory control.

Skills

Merchandising

Planning

Vendor relationships

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Excel

Apparel/Footwear experience

Travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, or related field or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Microsoft Suite

Job description

The Buyer is a leadership position in the company and is, in partnership with the Merchandising and Planning team, responsible for achieving sales, gross margin, and profit goals of a specific business through the selection, pricing, and promotion of merchandise. The Buyer is a product and merchandise focused role that utilizes appropriate merchandising and management techniques to maximize the company’s return on inventory investment. The position reports to the VP of Merchandising and Planning. This role requires a high degree of team management, product expertise, attention to detail, quantitative analysis, and vendor relationship management. This role requires a high degree of discretion, good judgement and tact. The ability to problem-solve and stay attuned to customer needs is paramount. This role has a strong focus on the customer experience and guiding a team to ensure we have the right product in the right place, at the right time. In addition, this position will develop and drive strategy, analysis and appropriate reaction to sales trend in order to maximize business.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the “Cavender’s Culture” and drive our Mission, Vision, and Values
• Serve as a strategic partner and key support resource to the company
• Create strategic plans for buying that meet the needs of the organization
• Lead Merchandising Department Associates to deliver on financial and talent goals and objectives
• Manage a high volume, complex or multi-department area which includes website for Omni-channel business
• Make focused decisions based on brand integrity and company values to ensure an understanding of our core customer for highest customer satisfaction
• Set priorities, foster cohesion, and provide motivation to cross-functional teams
• Develop and communicate a conceptual assortment plan for department needs that tie to financial expectations (style assortment, key item needs, retails, IMU’s, AUR’s) in a timely manner
• Partner with Planning to ensure the appropriate financial strategies and distribution to maximize sales, margin, and turn of the business
• Determine quantities to order by style, size, and color; validate to OTB plan in a timely manner
• Validate space with assortment plan to ensure appropriate depth is achieved by store volume (size)
• Maximize Web sales, margin and messaging
• Partner with Director of Marketing to identify product to be advertised
• Manage, develop and educate direct reports, to include Buyers, Associate Buyers, and Assistant Buyers, providing guidance, mentoring and coaching
• Assess the competition with respect to financial condition, trends, marketing, and product strategy; react accordingly to ensure market leadership
• Step into leadership situations and project leads as directed by the VP of Merchandising
• Partner with Planning, Replenishment and Allocation associates to calculate algorithms and assist the company in improving and developing a mastery of inventory control

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, or related field or equivalent work experience
• 8+ years of progressive experience as a merchant in a specialty retail environment
• 5+ years of progressive merchandising department management experience
• A proven track record of developing and building a successful apparel or footwear business
• Ability to interpret documents and work effectively within a merchandising
• Ability to apply abstract principles to a wide range of complex tasks
• Ability to comprehend complex issues and communicate
• Based in Tyler, TX at our home office; East Texas area residence
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Preferred Skills

• Ability to multi-task and work in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and proven ability to identify trends and business opportunities
• Functional expertise in all areas of Buying, Merchandising, Planning, Allocation and Inventory Control
• Hands-on and capable in developing, preparing, and implementing tactical plans in support of strategic company goals
• A proven track record developing and building an apparel business
• Experience in developing and curating a private label plan is a plus
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Must possess a clear understanding of retail financial measurements and how to impact them
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and overall Microsoft Suite
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, comfortable communicating and presenting at all levels
• Illustrate a dedication to meeting requirements of internal and external customers, responding to all customer requests promptly and thoroughly
• Ability to work in a team environment while embracing company culture

Cavender’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, military status, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other personal characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

Cavender’s will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability upon request. If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application, please call Customer Service at (888) 361 - 2555 or visit your nearest Cavender’s store.