Buyer II

Signet Jewelers•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Buyer II develops merchandise assortments and strategies to drive profitable category sales and productivity while ensuring product value, quality, and styling. The role holds a leadership position within the category management team (CMT) and is responsible for assortment planning, selection, maintenance, and promotion for designated product categories. The Buyer works with category leadership and cross-functional partners to develop category strategy, financial and marketing plans, and merchandise for stores and e-commerce. The role manages product development and lifecycle processes, vendor relationships and negotiations, inventory levels, and promotional execution. It also supports team training and development and helps resolve vendor-performance, quality, and operational issues.

Requirements

Up-to-date knowledge of jewelry market trends and competitive strategies.

Responsibilities

Partner with the category leader to set the strategic vision for assigned categories and adjust to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.
Analyze and respond to business performance weekly.
Participate in developing financial plans and advertising and marketing plans for designated product categories.
Present business reviews for designated product categories to leadership.
Oversee training and career development for direct reports and team members.
Develop, select, test, price, and acquire quality merchandise that meets consumer demand and strategic department goals and policies.
Develop new product concepts and brands for test markets, with potential for broader store rollout.
Manage the product lifecycle from idea inception through clearance and end of life.
Develop and manage strong vendor partnerships and the vendor base.
Understand product cost structure.
Co-manage and plan merchandising assortments for e-commerce websites.
Work with the Inventory Analyst to maintain appropriate in-stock levels.
Negotiate returns of discontinued products with suppliers and negotiate annual purchasing agreements with vendors.
Coordinate with marketing, visual display, and advertising departments to promote key items, programs, brands, and categories.
Merchandise marketing-channel items for designated product categories.
Present and justify catalog and promotional items to merchandise directors and vice presidents.
Partner with Sourcing on factory selection and cost negotiation.
Partner with Financial Planning on open-to-buy for assigned categories.
Work with Accounting, when applicable, to ensure credits and aging are applied correctly.
Assist the CMT with vendor-performance issues, including late orders and quality-control concerns.
Proof advertising materials, including catalogs, emails, websites, customer mailings, and in-store signage, for accuracy.
Work with Visual Merchandising on in-store presentations and planograms.
Collaborate with Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Distribution Center, and Planning teams on projects such as tests, expansions, and recalls.