Associate Buyer, Hybrid

Belk•New York, NY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Associate Buyers manage a defined portion of a Buyer’s overall business, driving merchandise strategy and assortments to meet or exceed sales, margin, and inventory-turn targets. With support from the Buyer, the Associate Buyer is responsible for purchasing and negotiating merchandise for assigned business areas and supporting the open-to-buy process. The role partners with Planners to maximize business opportunities and with the Assistant Planner to manage orders and analyze business trends. The position requires a designated hybrid in-office work schedule and travel to necessary markets and stores.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent years of experience.
1–3 years of retail buying experience required.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Highly organized and able to multitask.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with peers and merchant-team members.
Leadership and decision-making skills.
Strong listening, written, and oral communication skills.
Ability to analyze sales, inventory, and margin opportunities at store, department, and class levels.
Ability to react to business trends in a timely and efficient manner and adapt to shifting business circumstances.
Strong merchandising, product, and marketing skills.
Proficiency in business-related computer software, including Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans based on customer feedback and preferences to achieve financial goals and business objectives.
Collaborate with the Buyer and Planner on merchandise financial plans and by-door plans; provide regular, timely input, assist with building clusters, and determine assortment layers.
Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships.
Select merchandise and negotiate product costs and delivery.
Analyze sales performance and marketplace information to identify in-season opportunities and risks, and implement strategies to achieve plans.
Analyze the business to identify trends and capitalize on opportunities.
Execute advertising strategies.
Develop partnerships, lead, coach, and provide constructive feedback to help build a high-quality merchant team.
Travel to necessary markets and stores.
Build and maintain productive relationships with peers and merchant-team members.
Analyze sales, inventory, and margin opportunities at the store, department, and class levels.
React to business trends in a timely and efficient manner.
Maintain professionalism in work relationships and habits.
Provide direction, counseling, and coaching to staff.
Develop creative solutions to business issues.
Work effectively with staff and Divisional/BSS management to develop sound financial and merchandising solutions based on analysis, input, and experience.
Identify emerging trends and regularly shop competitors and the market.
Communicate effectively with stores and vendors.