Furniture Buyer

Homemakers Furniture•Urbandale, IA

About The Position

The Buyer increases sales and profitability for assigned product categories through product selection, display, pricing, and promotion for assigned locations and online. The role is responsible for meeting company objectives related to buying and the flow of goods, including inventory levels. It influences the products customers see and purchase in-store and online through assortment planning, vendor partnerships, inventory management, and merchandising execution.

Requirements

Ability to travel to market as needed.
Work Monday through Friday and/or as business needs require.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
Ability to make data-driven decisions.
Ability to adapt to evolving customer needs.
Good interpersonal skills.
Oral and written communication skills.
Ability to plan, organize, and multitask.

Responsibilities

Manage showroom floor presentation, including product placement, rotation, and replacement of shop-worn items, using relevant tools and reports and collaborating with the visual design team.
Use sales reports, inventory data, and demand-planning tools to inform buying decisions and strategy.
Adjust buying, assortment, and inventory in response to customer needs and market trends.
Maintain stocking programs and inventory levels for floored and sold products; monitor fulfillment and aged inventory; place purchase orders as needed.
Negotiate vendor pricing and terms, review freight rates, maintain margins and competitive retail pricing, and execute promotions and markdowns as directed.
Ensure merchandise unit sales and margins align with category goals and the company business plan.
Execute assortment plans for designated categories, test new product introductions, and identify items to drop.
Manage vendor agreements, sale-period utilization, and invoice accuracy and compliance.
Build and maintain vendor partnerships; research and onboard new vendors and product lines.
Maintain expert knowledge of assigned product lines, including construction, warranties, features, and benefits.
Support Merchandising Coordinators in maintaining accurate product attributes and website and internal-system photos, videos, and content; collaborate with IT, content, ecommerce, and site merchandising teams.
Collaborate with marketing, advertising, social media, and merchandising teams to support promotions and customer needs.
Select and proof products for promotions according to advertising schedules, promotional focus, and deadlines.
Coordinate with floor stock, designers, receiving, and merchandising departments on display execution, lead times, purchase orders, EDI, labeling, and shipment discrepancies.
Provide retail teams with product and vendor information.
Engage with customers and sales specialists to identify trends, customer needs, and product opportunities.
Conduct competitive analysis through store visits and website reviews to evaluate pricing, assortment, and product direction.
Participate in monthly walkthroughs and cross-functional collaboration to improve efficiency, safety, productivity, and performance.
Follow operational and safety procedures and provide feedback to management as needed.
Perform additional duties as assigned.