Associate Buyer, Franchise - Pottery Barn Kids and Teen

Williams-Sonoma•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

As the Associate Buyer for Global you will manage Franchise Businesses for the Pottery Barn Kids + Teen Brands. In conjunction with your manager, you are responsible for the management of a set of categories for our Franchise Businesses. Your job on the Pottery Barn Kids and Teen Global team is to bring the US brand strategies and presentation to life with our Franchise Partners. You will work to maintain the brand identity while making strategic adjustments to the assortment and presentation specific to each partner to maximize sales/ revenue potential and profitability.

Requirements

2-5 years of Retail Merchandising/Buying and/or Retail Kids and Home Furnishings Planning experience preferred.
Account Management experience will also be considered.
Strong Excel skills (pivots, formulas, data sourcing)
Strong Presentation skills required
Strong understanding of the brand customer and aesthetic
Excellent business / financial acumen. Diagnose problems and take action for improvement.
Ability to influence others and make solid business decisions
Comfortable with the accountability of driving strategies and managing a business / OTB.
Ability to work with cross functional partners across the globe to drive projects and tasks to completion.
Passionate, positive problem solver with a can-do attitude.
Personal leadership and professionalism.
Service + customer mindset, with the ability to influence cross functionally.
Ability to navigate ambiguous and often changing situations.
Superior written communication, presentation, and listening skills
Strong management and leadership skills to lead, develop and motivate a team -- both internal and external.
Organized, efficient, and detailed orientated.

Responsibilities

Collaborate on financial targets associated with Franchise Businesses to drive revenue, inventory and
Participate with merchant team / inventory and franchise partners on a quarterly basis to drive core best sellers and reduce inventory in slow sellers/ not go forward items
Recommended assortment changes using market knowledge, competitive details, and sales analysis to maximize sales potential for each Partner.
Develop and implement seasonal calendar for Partners (key milestones & owners)
Align on promotional and markdown strategies to ensure inventory targets and sales are met each season (by exception for Partner needs)
Sales Review (Divisional Breakouts, best sellers, key business drivers), drive actions from Sales Review findings, track and report out on actions and tests and identify opportunities based on Brand’s Top 50
Communicate seasonal strategies and big ideas to Partners & cross functional teams.
Drive/develop process improvements across the organization to drive Franchise business.
Drive Global SKU creation process and management for Company Owned + Franchise businesses
Create Seasonal Merch List and maintain on a weekly basis to share with both Inventory and Franchise partners
Create Global Adoption Tools for Partners to utilize each season including a Visual Line List with product information, Store Lifestyle Document with placement and product data as well as an accurate Merch List
Participate in Global Adoption 4 times a year with seasonal strategy kick off & sell in of product, by season to Franchise Partners, both virtually and in person utilizing Brand information
Participate in a Hindsight process for each season to ensure key KPIs are communicated to our Franchise Partners
Partner with customs, logistics, licensing and legal teams to clear roadblocks to successful product sales
Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external brand partners

Benefits

A generous discount on all WSI brands
A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
Tax-free commuter benefits
A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
Resources for self-development
Advisor (Mentor) program
Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series