Assistant Buyer (Hybrid)

Belk•Charlotte, NC

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Buyer drives sales and profit through analysis of business for all channels in the organization, inclusive of brick & mortar as well as eCommerce business. Assistant Buyers work closely with all cross-functional partners to ensure their department's success. Essential Functions: Identify and present trends & risks, resolves issues, and recognizes opportunities for designated areas through analysis of business results from multiple sources Manage assortment planning for designated areas by analyzing style performance, and identifying future assortment needs to drive business results Utilize merchandising systems to drive business results and place orders Analyze, forecast, and ensure season codes are accurate for the promotional and permanent markdown process Manage the advertising strategy by projecting advertising sales with Buyer, analyzing event results and creating the assortment and promotional strategy for their designated areas Use data and business results, to develop promotional strategies for designated areas with advertising team and DMM that drive profitable sales and communicate compelling messages to customers Initiate image requests through Workhorse system to drive sample turn-in Maintain vendor relationships, including Private Brands teams for Private Brands offices Partner with Buyer/Planner in Monthly Forecast to achieve gross margin, on order receipts, promotions and permanent price changes, and trend changes for designated areas Strategize and execute cross-channel marketing decisions, including: review of past effectiveness, planning, negotiating, and securing and entering the distribution of co-op Develop and manage seasonal and monthly visual needs through partnership with the Visual Merchandising team Drive the sample process by providing samples and securing images through online content for and being a liaison between E-Commerce and vendors Present buying strategy in business meetings with Buying, Planning, Allocation, DMM and other cross functional team members. Based on data analysis, make and present recommendations for replenishment and follow up on results for future replenishment opportunities React to customer/store feedback in a timely and efficient manner Special projects and other duties as assigned Requires designated hybrid in-office work schedule

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience required
Demonstrated experience using merchandising systems required
Corporate buying office experience OR internal Retail Development Program OR relative wholesale experience (e.g. account executive, sales assistant, retail planner) required
Performs retail math calculations and utilizes formulas for analysis, pricing, and marketing activities
Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills to present in a professional manner and to communicate with all merchandising levels, stores, and vendors
Ability to collaborate with cross functional teams and work in a team environment
Capable of shifting to different projects as priorities change
Successfully navigates ambiguity and drives business results regardless of obstacles
Ability to use corporate retail merchandising systems to support buying activities
Demonstrated ability to develop recommendations based on trends and data analysis
Ability to identify market trends and color concepts

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated intermediate-level proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite preferred

Responsibilities

Identify and present trends & risks
Resolves issues, and recognizes opportunities for designated areas through analysis of business results from multiple sources
Manage assortment planning for designated areas by analyzing style performance, and identifying future assortment needs to drive business results
Utilize merchandising systems to drive business results and place orders
Analyze, forecast, and ensure season codes are accurate for the promotional and permanent markdown process
Manage the advertising strategy by projecting advertising sales with Buyer, analyzing event results and creating the assortment and promotional strategy for their designated areas
Use data and business results, to develop promotional strategies for designated areas with advertising team and DMM that drive profitable sales and communicate compelling messages to customers
Initiate image requests through Workhorse system to drive sample turn-in
Maintain vendor relationships, including Private Brands teams for Private Brands offices
Partner with Buyer/Planner in Monthly Forecast to achieve gross margin, on order receipts, promotions and permanent price changes, and trend changes for designated areas
Strategize and execute cross-channel marketing decisions, including: review of past effectiveness, planning, negotiating, and securing and entering the distribution of co-op
Develop and manage seasonal and monthly visual needs through partnership with the Visual Merchandising team
Drive the sample process by providing samples and securing images through online content for and being a liaison between E-Commerce and vendors
Present buying strategy in business meetings with Buying, Planning, Allocation, DMM and other cross functional team members.
Based on data analysis, make and present recommendations for replenishment and follow up on results for future replenishment opportunities
React to customer/store feedback in a timely and efficient manner
Special projects and other duties as assigned