Workwear Buyer

Cavender Stores•Tyler, TX

About The Position

The Merchandising Buyer is responsible for product selection, pricing, and promotional strategies to achieve sales, margin, and profit goals for the assigned business. This product-focused role drives results through vendor partnerships, detailed analysis, and customer-centric decision-making. The Buyer collaborates with Merchandising and Planning to ensure products are available at the right time and place, maximizing inventory investment and enhancing the customer experience. The role includes trend analysis, strategy development, and proactive responses to sales performance, and requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving skills. The position reports to the VP of Merchandising and Planning. It manages a high-volume, complex, or multi-department area that includes the website for omnichannel business, and leads and develops junior Merchandising Department Associates and direct reports. Travel of up to 20% is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
At least 6 years of progressive experience as a merchant in a specialty retail environment.
At least 2 years of merchandising department leadership experience.
Hands-on ability to develop, prepare, and implement tactical plans supporting strategic company goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Clear understanding of retail financial measurements and how to affect them.
Excellent negotiation skills.
Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge and proven ability to identify trends and business opportunities.
Functional expertise in Buying, Merchandising, Planning, Allocations, and Inventory Control.
Proven track record of developing and building an apparel business.
Experience developing and curating a private-label plan.
Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
Previous experience with western wear.

Responsibilities

Support the Cavender’s Culture and drive the company’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
Serve as a strategic partner and key support resource to the company.
Lead junior Merchandising Department Associates toward financial and talent goals and objectives.
Manage a high-volume, complex, or multi-department area, including the website for omnichannel business.
Make decisions based on brand integrity and company values, maintaining understanding of the core customer to support customer satisfaction.
Set priorities, foster cohesion, and motivate cross-functional teams.
Develop and communicate a conceptual assortment plan that aligns department needs with financial expectations, including style assortment, key item needs, retails, IMUs, and AURs.
Partner with Planning on financial strategies and distribution to maximize sales, margin, and business turn.
Determine order quantities by style, size, and color, and validate them against the OTB plan in a timely manner.
Validate space against the assortment plan to ensure appropriate depth by store volume or size.
Maximize web sales, margin, and messaging.
Partner with the Director of Marketing to identify products to advertise.
Manage, develop, and educate direct reports through guidance, mentoring, and coaching.
Assess competitors’ financial condition, trends, marketing, and product strategy, and respond to support market leadership.