Associate Buyer

JD North America comprises JD Sports, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace.

DTLR is hiring for an Associate Buyer of Footwear.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Associate Buyer is responsible for assisting the buyer in managing all aspects of the category businesses in order to drive results that meet or exceed the planned financial and qualitative objectives established for the fiscal period. The associate buyer will support administrative needs of the business group. They’ll take data flow information and independently make recommendations how to drive the business, take initiative to understand variance to plan and prior year, build partnerships that allow for open and timely communication and have confidence to speak in open forums to provide value added comments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Purchase order management: Ability to enter buys into the system with an understanding of how the product and deliveries effect the company’s overall goal. Ability to reconcile and report receipts monthly and demonstrate financial responsibility for success of business

• Manage Style Outs: Responsible for sample management for respective brands and coordinating pass offs to marketing, ecom, and visual merchandising teams. Work efficiently creating visual presentations of product information and color, that can be used by VM, Marketing and Ecommerce teams.

• Merchandise Analysis: Analyze weekly and monthly sales, stock, and on-order with the goal of optimizing sales and minimizing markdowns. Identify Key Trending in the marketplace and reacts quickly, both major and minor, in the business, whether they be product related, or store related. Driving sales and margins through vendor communication, internal design and product development,

• Merchandise Planning: Works closely with the Buyer and Planner revising plans to ensure that sales and margin are optimized by class. Ensure the buying direction is on target based on partnering with Buyer and comprehensive analysis of the business, e.g., last year results, current trends, attribute selling, etc.

• OTB (Open-To-Buy) Management: Manage the financial elements of the business, e.g., OTB, IMU, MD’s, etc. Ensure that the receipt plan is tightly managed and that orders are placed on a timely basis (neither too late or too soon) and that receipts flow correctly throughout the month.

• E-Commerce: Assist in selecting new product for e-commerce division from retail’s assortment. Suggest category extensions / web exclusives to further growth. Provide vendor/style investments by quarter in order to promote product through our web platforms

• Vendor Relations: Develop effective and beneficial relationships with key vendors. Sit in on vendors’ appointments and participate in product development and purchasing in the market. Prepare for meetings and projects with Business Analysts. Manage vendor performance through effective negotiation and communication to maximize profitability, achieve financial objectives and ensure optimal supply chain operations.

• Communication: Ensure that all communication (listening and directing) is conducted appropriately with the stores, vendors, ecommerce and warehouse. Develop collaborative relationships with internal colleagues including Planning, Visual Merchandising, Ecommerce, Buyers, Marketing and Community, and the Operational team. Gain understanding of all roles and responsibilities within the organization and be flexible and cooperative in working with teams to achieve a common goal.

• Performs other duties as may be assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED is a must.

• Requires a minimum of two (3-5) years of retail experience

• Must be willing to travel via car, plane or train Career Path: An Associate Buyer should expect to spend 2 years gaining experience and mastering the required skills prior to being considered for promotion to the Buyer level.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the DTLR target customer and the ability to select the appropriate product trend that will appeal to the customer and meet their expectations.

• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Outlook) and the ability to learn new computer systems quickly and retain the information

• Exhibit a professional communication style (both verbal and written) as shown through strong presentation skills and excellent organizational skills, with a high sense of urgency.

• The ability to prioritize tasks to balance the immediate and long term needs of the business.

• Must be task driven and pro-active when it comes to executing tasks

• Work requires a solid knowledge of business and an excellent command of the English language to effectively communicate with management, associates, and customers

• Must demonstrate an ability to think strategically, plan and organize effectively

• Must be able to maintain an exemplary degree of professionalism in all situations

• The ability to execute directives with precision and consistency

• Detail oriented, excellent time management with strong sense of urgency.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.

• The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk; or hear.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision and depth perception.

• The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.