Retail Sourcing Specialist

WHSmith North America; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

WHSmith North America is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist responsible for procuring, developing, and managing merchandise assortments to hit sales, margin, and turnover targets.

In partnership with the DVP and Planner, you will create category and supplier strategies, manage Open-to-Buy, negotiate terms, and support field execution across multiple brands and concepts. Visit stores to evaluate assortments and stay ahead of market trends to optimize inventory.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of merchandise buying experience in a multi-unit retail organization.
• Experience with Open-to-Buy (OTB) management and category planning.
• Strong merchandising math and advanced MS Office skills.
• Experience with merchandising software platform.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute merchandise assortment strategies to meet or exceed financial goals.
• Product development as needed in accordance with brands, departments, and concepts.
• Partner with Planner to manage and adhere to Open-to-Buy (OTB) budget.
• Work with vendors to resolve purchase order discrepancies and compliance issues.
• Analyze business at division, department, class, subclass, attribute, and store level.
• Negotiate with vendors to secure best terms for maximum margin results.
• Prepare for and participate in regular Merchandising meetings and reviews.
• Develop seasonal trend presentations and educate the field organization.

Skills

Merchandise buying

Open-to-Buy (OTB)

Merchandising math

Vendor negotiation

Tools

Merchandising software platform

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for procuring, developing, and managing effective merchandise assortments to achieve the sales, margin, and turnover targets for his/her respective buying areas. In partnership with their DVP and respective Planner, the Buyer will create the appropriate merchandise mix and develop category and supplier strategies. This is not a people leadership role.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and execute merchandise assortment strategies to meet or exceed the financial goals
• Product development as needed in accordance with the respective brands, departments, and concepts.
• Partner with Planner to manage and adhere to Open-to-Buy (OTB) budget.
• Work with vendors to resolve purchase order discrepancies and compliance issues.
• Analyze business at division, department, class, subclass, attribute, and store level.
• Create and maintain open lines of communication with Planner, Store Managers, Regional Managers and other co-workers.
• Negotiate with vendors to secure the best terms for maximum margin results, including supplier income, and best pricing as well as markdown and/or RTV agreements.
• Prepare for and participate in regular Merchandising meetings such as Weekly Performance Meetings, Month End Review / OTB meetings, Collaboration meetings, New Store Review meetings, etc.
• Develop seasonal trend presentations and participate in seasonal workshops to educate the field organization (applicable by merchandise category).
• Visit our stores (including visits on location as requested) to evaluate assortments, presentations, stock levels, marketing, customers, and obtain feedback from store personnel. Visit competitors to evaluate pricing, assortments, and market trends for possible opportunities.
• Carry out tasks related to new stores, including research into new markets (including visits on location as requested), participating in Planogram meetings, developing new assortments for new concepts or stores, etc.
• Work closely with Planner to manage allocation, reorder flow, and product lifecycle including promos, markdowns, transfers and RTVs.

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of merchandise buying experience within a multi-unit retail organization.
• Product development and assortment planning experience required.
• Strong command of merchandising and retail math, including Open-to-Buy (OTB) management.
• Ability to adapt, multi-task and problem solve in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with a merchandising software platform.