Buyer

Description

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists in the selection of particular vendors/suppliers with whom to place orders and acts as a primary contact with vendors/suppliers.
• Uses the store technology daily and to its fullest potential, including the scheduling and creation of RSOs as well as scheduling orders via the shared calendars.
• Purchases items in the basic assortment of the identified product mix to ensure these items are always in stock and includes the items most wanted by the customer while maintaining stated financial objectives including Sales, Margin, and Shrink.
• Responsible for locating or promoting possible new sources of supply. Is expected to keep abreast of market trends, changes in business practices in the assigned markets, new or altered types of materials entering the market, etc.
• Negotiates to procure the best costs on products and the best payment and freight terms.
• Develops a well-balanced pricing structure on products so as to maximize profit while maintaining a realistic level within the marketplace.
• Plans promotional activities and buys accordingly. Maintains database of product designated for promotion and communicates availability to marketing in a timely manner. Coordinates vendor participation in product training and customer demonstration clinics on the uses of products.
• Follows up on any shipping discrepancies with vendors to receive proper credit.
• Keeps abreast of new items in the marketplace, new technology, and application of those items by attending trade shows, co-op markets, manufacturer presentations, distributor shows and markets, reading trade publications, shopping competitors, and working our floor to obtain first-hand customer feedback on requested merchandise.
• Coordinates merchandise layout in conjunction with the Merchandising Manager.
• Sources product not carried in the basic assortment but requested by customers.
• Orders special orders in a timely manner.
• Issues stop buy dates on seasonal products and follows up to ensure markdown liability is kept to a minimum.
• Maintains accurate records pertaining to merchandise purchases, cost and retail information, catalogues, and sales diaries.
• Resolves defective merchandise problems to ensure future problems do not occur.

Non-Essential Job Functions

• Trains employees to be aware of the causes of loss and shrinkage and communicates security violations to the Chief Financial Officer.
• Assists in training, personnel management, problem solving, and other employee issues for subordinate employees.
• Participates in hands-on training of the features, benefits, application, and “How to Sell” of the products in area of responsibility.
• Prepares pre-season line review and presents to Store Manager, Section Manager and C.F.O.  If no seasonal lines exist, it is sufficient to do this every six months.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education/Work Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one to three years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Previous retail experience preferred
• Basic understanding of accounting principles required

Technical Experience

• Must be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel and Word
• Must be familiar with a Point of Sale system; Epicor Eagle preferred
• 10-key by touch desirable
• Must be able to learn to use the store telephone system

Skills & Abilities

• Must be able to follow written instructions
• Ability to work successfully both independently (self-motivated) and as part of a team
• Must be dependable, able to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Must have strong customer service skills, including building effective professional relationships and working collaboratively
• Must be able to report to work consistently and on time
• Must be accurate and detail oriented
• Must be able to deal with frequent interruptions graciously and patiently

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises assistant buyers and/or clerical assistants
   

Travel Requirements

• This position may require up to 30% travel

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds

• The employee is required to sit at a desk in an office for long periods of time; requires using repetitive motion to type
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include the ability to adjust focus from printed material to the computer
• The employee must be able to walk the sales floor and walk up/down stairs

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and prevalent outdoor weather conditions
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low