Associate Buyer

The Guitar Center Company•Frederick, MD

3h•$60,000 - $70,000

About The Position

Are you passionate about building assortments that customers love and driving results through smart merchandising decisions? As an Associate Buyer, you’ll play a key role in shaping product strategy, launching new assortments, and partnering cross-functionally to deliver sales, margin, and inventory goals. This is a hands-on opportunity to grow your merchandising career while influencing how products come to life in-store and online. This role is an excellent next step for an emerging merchandising professional ready to take ownership and make an impact. About Music & Arts Music & Arts embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to create lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion. The first Music & Arts was located in a small house in Bethesda, MD and run by founder Benjamin O'Brien. When Music & Arts opened its doors in 1952, we offered printed music, music lessons, dance lessons, and art supplies. Ben decided shortly after opening his business that he wanted to focus on music to better serve his customers -- a decision that remains intact to this day. Since the 1990's, Music & Arts has expanded nationwide through organic growth and a series of acquisitions and mergers with other music dealers. In 2005, Music & Arts joined forces with American Music to become the largest band and orchestra instrument retailer in the United States. Based in Frederick, MD, Music & Arts is now part of the Guitar Center enterprise and comprises 225+ retail stores, 200+ educational representatives, and 250+ affiliate locations. Why Guitar Center? Here's just some of the rewards: For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave--take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Guitar Center offers robust benefits and perks, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options. With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people find their sound and fill the world with more music. Love this gig and want to apply? Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by sending an email to [email protected] [[email protected]].

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or related field (or equivalent experience)
2–4 years of experience in replenishment, buying, inventory management, or supply chain
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and inventory data
Proficiency in Excel and inventory or planning systems
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in specialty retail, education-focused retail, or multi-seasonal assortments
Familiarity with school-year driven demand cycles or rental programs
Experience working with long-lead-time vendors or import product
Understanding of key retail metrics: turns, sell-through, weeks of supply, and fill rate

Responsibilities

Participate in the development of the strategic plan for the category.
In collaboration with the Category Manager and Merchandise Planning team, choose and align product assortment based on customer buying trends and cultivate the vision for how the overall assortment is represented in the store.
Build product catalogs inclusive of new product launches and promotions. (SKU builds, etc.)
Monitor and report on competitor price, promotion, assortment and presentation tactics.
Maintain accurate product attributes, pricing, and cost updates in systems
Support promotional planning, markdown, clearance, and exit strategies
Maintain strong internal communication and follow-up
Assist in the management of Vendor Relationships.
Help drive the success of department objectives in collaboration with Marketing, Supply Chain and Retail Operations.
Analyze and develop reports that reflect category performance trends.
Additional duties as assigned.