Title

Barnes & Noble, Inc.•Chicago, IL

50d•Onsite

About The Position

The Specialty Inventory Assistant is responsible for assisting the Specialty Inventory Managers in calculating buying quantities, allocating product and managing inventory levels in each store across a wide array of assigned Specialty categories. This position helps to gather and analyze store sales history and customer/store profiles and demographics to recommend the initial buy level in total and by store. The Specialty Inventory Assistant works in close partnership with the Specialty Inventory Managers and store teams to ensure that each store has the correct inventory level to support its product display and sales needs, responding particularly when stores raise concerns about specialty inventory. The Specialty Inventory Assistant executes strategies created by the Specialty Inventory Managers to manage assigned products throughout their life cycle, from initial introduction to exiting the store. This is an onsite role based in Chicago.

Requirements

Strong analytical skills. Ability to think critically and communicate complex thoughts and/or ideas in clear and concise manner.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of retail math - must be a "numbers" person.
Collaborative and willing to share and accept ideas to further a goal or strategy.
Ability to adapt well to changes in direction and priority in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
Experience using the Microsoft Office suite is preferred
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

3 or more years of retail store experience a plus

Responsibilities

Work closely with Specialty Inventory Managers to maintain appropriate presets for each product purchased.
Meet deadlines set by the Specialty Commercial Calendar to ensure timely delivery of product.
Work with Visual Merchandising team to identify appropriate display quantities.
Monitor sell through of promotional merchandise to minimize markdowns and achieve company sales goals.
Work with Specialty Inventory Managers post-promotion to share learnings and recommendations for future promotions.
Effectively utilize inventory management systems to execute allocation strategies.
Analyze on-going sales trends and collaborate to take appropriate actions that result in optimal inventory levels in each store throughout the lifecycle of the product.
Replenish stores and Distribution Center with active products to ensure timely store replenishment.
Make recommendations for expansion and contraction of existing and promotional products/programs based on store profiles and store sales data.
Identify sales trends or store profile changes for core products/programs and make store/item combination changes
Support new stores and existing store renovations with Specialty inventory during and after construction.
Report on sales and inventory statistics and suggest actions needed to strengthen margin and sell through of product.