Buyer Assistant Merchandising - Kay

Signet Jewelers•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Buyer Assistant supports the Buyer across merchandising responsibilities and may step in to help with Merchandise Coordinator or Detail Assistant duties. The role involves sourcing and developing products, pricing, determining assortment groups, forecasting order quantities, competitive shopping, and preparing weekly and departmental reports. The Assistant Buyer develops knowledge of the jewelry category and works with the Buyer to maintain the merchandise category and identify sales trends, product designs, and assortment opportunities. The position collaborates with vendors, planners, inventory analysts, marketing, and visual merchandising teams to support product programs, inventory goals, advertising accuracy, and in-store presentations. The Assistant Buyer is jointly accountable with the Buyer for category sales, inventory levels, and gross margin goals established by management.

Responsibilities

Develop knowledge of the jewelry category and learn merchandising practices relevant to the role.
Maintain the merchandise category in conjunction with the Buyer.
Identify sales trends, develop product designs for testing, and identify assortment opportunities.
Attend vendor meetings, participate in product selection and review, and manage meeting notes and follow-up.
Participate in competitive shopping from an omni-channel perspective and assess company and competitor assortments for opportunities and advantages.
Support category performance against sales, inventory, and gross margin goals established by management.
Set up SKUs, descriptions, retail prices, and packaging attributes.
Assist with assortment development by working with Planners and Inventory Analysts to set product attributes, assortment size, targeted inventory and turn levels, and open-to-buy requirements.
Help develop forecasted sales quantities for marketing items and new programs with the Inventory Analyst and Buyer.
Communicate and coordinate with vendors regarding product quality, costs, terms or ownership, delivery dates, and merchandise return requests.
Establish retail prices in line with margin requirements.
Update departmental category assortment sheets and prepare reporting and analysis.
Proof advertising materials, including catalogs, emails, website content, customer mailings, and in-store signage, for accuracy.
Merchandise items for marketing channels in ways that are innovative and competitive.
Attend open-to-buy meetings and provide merchandise status updates as needed.
Complete and submit Project Request Forms and develop store communications.
Collaborate with the Visual Merchandising team on in-store presentations and planograms.
Adapt to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.