Assistant Buyer - Women's Designer Shoes - Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Nordstrom • Seattle, WA

1d • $80,000 - $132,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Buyer for Women's Designer Shoes supports the department's merchandising strategy and performance. The ideal candidate is analytical, results-oriented, and views the business through the lens of the customer. The role involves understanding customer expectations, the market and competitors, and seasonal merchandise strategy; preparing for markets; contributing to vendor negotiations and inventory management; and using analysis and business reviews to improve department results. The position is based in Seattle, Washington, and is hybrid.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in retail merchandising, planning, or analysis.
• Demonstrated understanding of retail and Nordstrom's service environment.
• Proficiency in the MS Office suite.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting a high-sales-volume category, such as one with a high SKU count, heavy seasonality, or revenue of $20 million or more.
• Experience in a relevant merchandise category.

Responsibilities

• Develop an understanding of customer needs, wants, and expectations.
• Build an understanding of the market and competitors in the category.
• Establish a clear understanding of the seasonal department merchandise strategy.
• Partner with the assistant buy planner on market preparation.
• Contribute to negotiations involving exclusive offerings, terms, pricing, vendor-funded markdowns, return-to-vendor agreements, drop-ship programs, and co-op arrangements.
• Serve as a liaison to online and/or stores as assigned, including communicating the selling agenda effectively.
• Contribute to in-season inventory management, including driving markdowns and exit strategy.
• Analyze the business and make decisions to improve department performance.
• Collaborate with regional merchandisers and respond urgently to customer needs.
• Partner with the assistant buy planner to improve the depth and precision of location-level inventory content.
• Participate in business reviews to better understand how specific actions affect overall department results.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Retirement benefits, including a 401(k).
• Paid time away, PTO accruals, and holidays.
• Life insurance and disability coverage/options.
• Merchandise discount.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources.
• May be eligible for performance-based incentives or bonuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level