Buyer – Fashion Watches

Opportunity is based in Miami, FL. Hybrid Schedule (Monday’s & Friday’s remote days) non-negotiable.

The Buyer - Fashion Watches is responsible for driving the strategic vision of their category of business, while leading and developing a team of Associates, Merchant Coordinators and/or Assistant Buyers. This position develops customer centric assortment plans based on each cruise line’s guest and demography, a detailed knowledge of the product category, and data. The Merchandise Manager works in partnership with their Planning Manager counterpart to achieve sales, gross margin and inventory turnover/weeks of supply plans while demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the connection between financial strategies and related merchandise objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Priorities

• Develop and execute strategic vision for areas of responsibility while supporting multiple cruise line profiles (Budget, Moderate, Upscale, and Luxury).

• Create merchandising & presentation standards that correlate and support the strategic vision of the business.

• Source, develop and manage vendors that are relevant to our business & negotiate terms, gross margin, and exclusive agreements.

• Set annual & seasonal objectives for each business and measure/course correct for progress &

performance (Sales, Gross Margin, and Inventory Turnover).

Assortment Planning

• Build assortments that support overall cruise line strategic merchandising vision and are relevant

(productive & profitable) to each ship.

• Develop assortment mix management to deliver key item ownership, key classification impact and unique & novelty items.

• Responsible for creating a compelling pricing strategy that supports value & savings needs and can be communicated to consumers through ship signing program.

• Direct assortment planning that effectively addresses and delivers products with appropriate breadth & depth based on ship profile and volume.

Financial Management

• Strong collaboration with planning partner to determine seasonal and annual departmental and

classification plans for sales, PPD, gross margin, receipts and inventory.

• Consistently analyze, evaluate & reset to performance of each business and brand by ship, focusing on key classifications and key items.

• Direct and manage currency of inventory, processing markdowns & DSKU identification on a timely basis to keep inventories clean.

• Develop and secure necessary IMU and GM objectives and secure market financial support to achieve product and brand targets.

• Continually update DMM of merchandising of emerging trends, market updates and new product opportunities.

• Develop competitive retail pricing strategy which delivers compelling price advantage and savings to consumers.

• Maintain competitive market awareness both in US and European domestic markets, Caribbean

Business, as well as expanding itineraries, such as Asia, Australia and South America.

• Develop hard-hitting promotional opportunities and ensure consistent stock.

• Work with brands on product exclusive and co. branding opportunities to provide points of competitive differentiation.

Interpersonal Management

• Develop strong relationships with planning partner through teamwork and communication.

• Consistently act as a positive contributing force within Starboard in all interrelations and

communication.

• Develop regular and actionable communication with Cruise Line Retail leadership, Directors, District Manager, Ship Managers and all sales support functions.

Talent Management

• Hire, train, develop, motivate and retain a highly talented team.

• Lead and manage a team of Associate Merchandise Managers, Merchandise Coordinators and

Assistant Buyers.

• Complete annual performance evaluations, provide feedback to grow and develop teams.

• Provide regular performance feedback to MP&D leadership team.

Qualifications Education And Experience

• 7- 10 Years of Experience

• Bachelor's Degree Required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong Leadership and Communication Skills required to grow and develop team

• Business Acumen; Analytical Skills to Drive Sales, Profit and Inventory

• Cross Functional Collaboration with Planning Team, Retail Operations, Marketing

• Ability to have strong influence with peers and business partners

• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word, Power Point; strong excel skills

required as position involves creating/maintaining many complex spreadsheets.

• Manages department within a function with authority to hire/terminate.

Decision Making

• Makes operating decisions and takes action for a department/project/initiative. Actively participates in strategy development. Very broad guidance from management. Requires high level of problem-solving ability based on complex nature of problems.

Travel Requirements

• Between 10%- 25% of time

Key Competencies

• Customer Service

• Relationship Management

• Business Acumen

• Drive for Results

• Self-Development

• Courage

• Problem Solving

• Communicating Effectively

• Teamwork and Collaboration