Sr. Buyer - Apparel

The Kroger Co.; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kroger Co. is seeking a category-focused professional to develop and implement corporate strategic category plans and drive assortment selection across divisions. You will manage vendor relationships, negotiate terms, and work with pricing to maximize sales and margin while controlling costs.

Regular travel and leadership of cross-functional teams are expected. Responsibilities include creating end-to-end sales and advertising plans, monitoring performance, and collaborating with Product

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field plus two years combined Assistant Buyer and Assistant Planner experience.
• Alternatively, a combination of relevant education and experience.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks/projects.
• Familiarity with retail terms and processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ongoing education.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate corporate strategic category plans with focus on division's needs.
• Maintain awareness of current sales trends and assess impact on business needs.
• Create business plan for the category and communicate to divisions.
• Create end-to-end sales plan, display plans and ad plans customized for each division.
• Review sales, profit and promotional performance by division.
• Locate and select new products.
• Price merchandise under IMU pricing or other corporate pricing strategies; coordinate with pricing analyst.
• Manage vendor relationship for the enterprise, including negotiating vendor terms.
• Review vendor stock status against period estimates and orders as necessary.
• Develop Kroger-specific selling programs for category.
• Partner with Planner on financial planning and vendor strategies.
• Participate in floor planning and planogramming processes.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and competitive landscape.
• Conduct store tours across the enterprise.
• Develop advertising campaigns; selects merchandise to advertise.
• Work with Product Development to establish, buy, and market private label product.
• Develop Corporate Brand strategy and implement in all markets.
• Support research and resolution for bi-way requests.
• Supervise and coach direct reports; complete performance reviews.
• Travel independently on a regular basis.
• Must be able to perform essential functions with or without accommodation.

Skills

Organizational skills

Retail industry knowledge

Microsoft Office

Project teamwork

Continued education

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Job description

Work with planner to develop and attains budgeted sales, gross margin, and market share for assigned category. Locate and select assortment for the enterprise and manages vendor relationships to maximize sales, margin and minimize cost. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate corporate strategic category plans with focus on division's needs
• Maintain an awareness of current sales trends and assesses impact on business needs
• Create business plan for the category and communicates to divisions
• Create end-to-end sales plan, display plans and ad plans customized for each division
• Review sales, profit and promotional performance by division
• Locate and select new products
• Price merchandise under IMU pricing or other corporate pricing strategies, maintaining competitiveness while maximizing sales and profit potential; coordinates with pricing analyst on competitive price checks and following corporate pricing strategies
• Manage vendor relationship for the enterprise, including negotiating vendor allowances and payment terms
• Review vendor stock status against period estimates and orders, as necessary
• Develop Kroger-specific selling programs for category
• Partner with Planner on financial planning, vendor financial plans and strategies
• Participate in floor planning and planogramming processes
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of industry trends, competitive landscape across the enterprise and regional needs
• Conduct store tours across the enterprise
• Develop advertising campaigns; selects merchandise to advertise
• Work with Product Development team to establish, buy, and market private label product
• Develop Corporate Brand strategy and implements in all markets, including procured product lines in assigned categories
• Support and assists with research and resolution for bi-way requests
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provides feedback to direct reports
• Travel independently on a regular basis
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field plus two years combined Assistant Buyer and Assistant Planner experience; or combination of relevant education and experience
• Ability to organize/prioritize tasks/projects
• Familiarity with retail industry/technical terms and processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office SuiteAbility to continue education
• Familiarity with commodity markets
• Experience directing/participating on project teams