Associate Buyer - Off Price (Hybrid) (New York Office)

Belk•New York, NY

12d•$65,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Off-Price Associate Buyers are responsible for supporting and executing the overall merchandising direction of a category or department(s) with the goal of meeting/ exceeding sales, margin and turn targets. Off-Price Associate Buyers lead with agility and a sharp market instinct, while maintaining a singular focus on the product, value, price, quality and the customer by incorporating competitive intelligence, customer insight, and business analysis. Off-Price Associate Buyers, with guidance/oversight from their leader, are responsible for the purchase and negotiation of merchandise as well as the open to buy process. Off-Price Associate Buyers partner with the Planning partner to develop strategies to maximize business opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree preferred
2-5 years of retail experience
1-3 years retail buying – Off-Price
Negotiation skills
Exceptional at relationship building and maintaining strong relationships internally and in the vendor community
Collaborative approach
Quick decision making
Deep understanding of customer behavior
Proficient in business-related computer software (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel)
Strong analytical skills
Clear retail math skills
Maintains professionalism in work relationships and habits
Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills
Is multi-task oriented to meet deadlines
Possesses strong merchandising, product and marketing skills
Demonstrates leadership and decision-making skills

Responsibilities

Develops and executes merchandise strategies and assortment plans, based on customer feedback and preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives while providing value, quality and on-brand merchandise for the outlet stores
Proactively identify emerging trends and leverage liquidity to test new ideas, driving sales and margin through strategic buys.
Analyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and class
Frequent vendor meetings and market trips aligning with leadership direction to support reacting to business trends in a timely and efficient manner
Creates all necessary analysis based on trends, events and other store related needs, while also leveraging partners
Works with Planning and Allocation during the planning process: in-season planning & revisions, assortment plans, store plans
Identifies opportunities to improve overall plan quality
Communicates effectively with all merchandising levels
Communicates effectively with stores and internal cross-functional partners
Builds and maintains strong relationships with vendor partners, while building a presence with new and existing vendors within the outlets and company
Reacts to feedback based on store and customer needs
Select merchandise; negotiate best costs and delivery of product
Manage all aspects of product placement, marketing and any pricing related tasks
Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information; implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved
Leverages open-to-buy process to manage business in-season and maximize opportunities
Travels to all necessary markets and store trips
Ability to articulate and provide thought process behind solutions and strategic plans
Identifying emerging trends and shopping competition and market regularly
Work closely with the Merchandise Assistant on day-to-day support needed