Associate Buyer

World Market•Alameda, CA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

For over 60 years, we have shared stories from across the globe that remind you of a time you cherish, a place you love, and people who make you feel at home. We have inspired the home decorator, entertainer, and gift giver with our unique assortment of products sourced and designed around the world, and we continue to be inspired by you. You will become part of a dynamic Merchandising team and build relationships with external and internal partners as you learn about our business. As an Associate Buyer, you will be responsible for supporting the Buyer’s activities to drive our business, including developing unique product assortments for our omni-channel business through analysis, trend research, and international sourcing. You will also personally be responsible for managing a department or multiple categories and have financial accountability for all key metrics.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years buying experience with a multi-unit retailer in a merchandise capacity.
Proficient in MS Office with advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint skills.
Ability to lift and move boxes.

Nice To Haves

Passion for the business.
A high level of intellectual capacity, agility, and curiosity.
Strong team collaboration skills.
Awareness of the marketplace and trends.
Ability to travel domestically and possibly internationally to vendor shows, showrooms, and factories.
An enthusiasm for travel and exploring.
Excellent analytical, planning, and time management skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Resourcefulness and creative problem solving.

Responsibilities

Develop business acumen and demonstrate an understanding of key metrics and levers of the overall business.
Take responsibility for key financials and reporting, including weekly analysis and business summaries.
Provide recommendations on the business.
Understand your competition and the market in general.
Speak confidently about product vision and category performance.
Actively manage the business both in forward planning and in-season execution.
Own a department or category.
Strategically create assortments that achieve financial goals.
Develop core and seasonal products which excite our customers.
Build assortment plans with your Inventory Management partner, using trend research, comp shopping, and analyzing current and past business.
Create and manage the Product Development process with vendor partners: provide design inspiration and product direction, negotiate costs.
Support Inventory Management Partners in Open to Buy (OTB) and Buy Plans for designated category or department(s).
Provide Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (SKU ranking) and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plans.
Update document and ensure accuracy.
Propose and manage promotional strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
Responsible for preparing and presenting new Product Reviews.
Collaborate with Visual, Inventory Management, and Ecom partners to determine photography, signage and copy needs, product placement, and schematic accuracy.
Maintain the department’s active items documentation.
Manage vendor relationships and follow-up actions around products including requesting samples and handling quality assurance issues.
Own the sample management process: tracking, unpacking, organizing, and purging discontinued samples as well as pulling samples for Marketing, Visual and eCommerce.

Benefits

Work life balance is a priority (work from home flexibility).
Up to 30% employee discount and product sample sales!
A fun and supportive work environment where you feel welcome and safe.
A culture of inclusion that empowers you to be your best authentic self.
Opportunities to make an impact through your passions.
Wellness Program including virtual fitness classes, personal health advocates, coaches, gym discounts and more.
Accrued Vacation, Sick Time and Personal Holidays.
Eligible employees offered Medical and Dental Insurance, Vision Coverage, 401(k) Savings Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance and more.
Full time and Part time associates are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) retirement savings plan after three (3) months of service.
Benefits for full-time employment on the first of the month following 30 days of continuous employment include offerings for programs including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, Commuter Benefits and Employee Assistance.