Buyer II

Signet Jewelers•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Buyer 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 across designated product categories. The Buyer works with category leadership and cross-functional partners to respond to market trends, manage product development and lifecycle, oversee inventory and vendor relationships, and coordinate merchandising and promotional activity.

Responsibilities

Partner with the category Leader to set the strategic vision for the category.
Adjust to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.
Analyze business performance and react on a weekly basis.
Participate in developing financial plans and advertising and marketing plans for designated product categories.
Assist in business reviews for designated product categories with Leadership.
Oversee training and career development for direct reports and the team.
Develop, select, test, price, and acquire quality merchandise consistent with consumer demand and strategic department goals and policies.
Develop new product concepts and brands for test markets, with potential for expanded store rollout.
Manage the product lifecycle from idea inception through clearance and end of life.
Manage the vendor base and identify and develop strong vendor partners.
Understand product cost structure.
Co-manage and plan merchandising assortments for e-commerce websites.
Work with the Inventory Analyst to ensure appropriate in-stock levels.
Manage negotiations for returning discontinued products to suppliers.
Negotiate annual purchasing agreement contracts with vendors.
Coordinate with marketing, visual display, and advertising teams to promote key items, programs, brands, and categories.
Merchandise marketing-channel items for designated product categories and 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 product 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 issues.
Proof advertising materials—including catalogs, emails, websites, customer mailings, and in-store signage—for accuracy.
Work with the Visual Merchandising team on in-store presentations and planograms.
Collaborate with Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Distribution Center, and Planning teams on projects, including tests, expansions, and recalls.