Associate Buyer - Gift

Barnes & Noble • New York, NY

3d

About The Position

The Associate Merchant owns assigned categories while supporting the managing merchant. The role develops and executes category strategy, manages assortments, understands business needs across Barnes & Noble and Paper Source, and identifies vendor partners to build profitable assortments aligned with company and category strategy. The Associate Merchant also works collaboratively with the Specialty Inventory Manager and Visual Team to align strategies and execution.

Requirements

• Identify assortment opportunities and work with internal partners to execute them.
• Adapt communication style to vendors, internal partners, management, and other audiences.
• Be thoughtful and diplomatic, with the ability to prioritize.
• Use a creative, solution-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Apply industry and competitive knowledge to support company goals.
• Make sound decisions by assessing situations and using feedback and experience to tailor solutions and achieve results.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Work effectively under deadlines; be a self-starter, innovative, team-oriented, and customer-focused.
• Adapt to change and shift focus and priorities while handling unexpected situations.
• Plan ahead, anticipate issues, use resources effectively, and create realistic plans to accomplish objectives.
• Build collaborative relationships through open dialogue and listening.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned categories and assortments.
• Establish a regular core review cadence.
• Collaborate with design, visual merchandising, and store operations to create distinctive, upscale assortments and support strong in-store execution.
• Analyze the market regularly to identify opportunities and stay current on trends, while advancing the representation of trends in stores.
• Communicate strategy and intent in presentations to management, the SIM team, and commercial strategy partners.
• Build partnerships with vendors aligned with the company’s direction.
• Negotiate terms with vendors.

Benefits

• Employee discount
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick pay
• Paid time off
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Company-paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Transit benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed