Buyer Traditional & Comfort Shoes, Hybrid

Belk•New York, NY

5d•$90,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Buyers are responsible for the overall merchandising direction of a category or department, with the goal of meeting or exceeding sales, margin, and turn targets. This Buyer maintains a singular focus on product and customer by incorporating competitive intelligence, customer insight, and business analysis. The role is responsible for purchasing and negotiating merchandise and managing the open-to-buy process, while partnering with Planners to develop strategies that maximize business opportunities. The position develops and executes merchandise strategies and assortment plans based on customer feedback and preferences, analyzes business performance, and responds to trends and store and customer needs. It works cross-functionally with Planners, Allocators, Advertising, the DMM, stores, vendors, and merchandising teams. The Buyer selects merchandise, negotiates costs and delivery, manages product placement, marketing and pricing, and identifies in-season opportunities and risks to achieve business plans. The role also helps build a high-quality merchandising team through partnerships, leadership, coaching, and constructive feedback. The role may be based in either the New York City, NY or Charlotte, NC office. The position is described as hybrid. The stated base pay range is $90,000–$155,000.

Requirements

7–9 years of retail experience.
1–3 years of retail buying experience.
Proficiency with business-related computer software, including Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel.
Excellent analytical and reasoning skills.
Clear retail math skills.
Professionalism in work relationships and habits.
Strong listening, written, and oral communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Strong merchandising, product, and marketing skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans based on customer feedback and preferences to deliver financial goals and business objectives.
Analyze business performance at the store, department, and class levels to identify sales, inventory, and margin opportunities.
React to business trends in a timely and efficient manner.
Create necessary analysis based on trends.
Work with the Planner and Allocator during planning, including in-season planning and revisions, assortment plans, and store plans.
Identify opportunities to improve overall plan quality.
Communicate effectively with all merchandising levels, stores, and vendors.
Respond to feedback based on store and customer needs.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with vendors and cross-functional partners at Belk.
Select merchandise and negotiate product costs and delivery.
Manage product placement, marketing, and pricing and markdowns.
Negotiate vendor allowances, returns, advertising co-op, and other terms as needed.
Identify in-season business opportunities and risks by analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information, then implement strategies to achieve plans.
Partner with Advertising and the DMM to develop promotional strategies, identify key items or classifications that drive profitable sales, and communicate compelling messages to customers.
Build a high-quality merchandising team through partnership, leadership, coaching, and constructive feedback.
Leverage the open-to-buy process to manage the business in-season and maximize opportunities.