Merchandise Buyer

Our large retail client based in Tyler, TX is looking for a FULL-TIME Buyer to join their growing creative team starting in November 2024. This role is 100% ONSITE in Tyler, Texas with relocation assistance as needed. Some light travel is expected with this role. As a key leader, the Buyer is responsible for achieving sales, gross margin, and profit goals through merchandise selection, pricing, and promotion. The Buyer is a product and merchandise-focused role that utilizes appropriate merchandising and management techniques to maximize the company's return on inventory investment. This role requires a high degree of team management, product expertise, attention to detail, quantitative analysis, and vendor relationship management.

Position Overview

The Buyer is responsible for the strategic selection and procurement of products to maximize sales and profitability within the apparel business. This role involves managing vendor relationships, planning inventory, and executing merchandising strategies to align with market trends and consumer demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Create strategic plans for buying that meet the needs of the organization
• Manage a high volume, complex, or multi-department area, including website, for Omni-channel business
• Develop and communicate conceptual assortment plans for department needs that tie to financial expectations, including style assortment, key item needs, retails
• Partner with Planning to ensure the appropriate financial strategies and distribution to maximize sales, margin, and turn of the business
• Determine quantities to order by style, size, and color; validate to Open-to-buy (OTB) plan in a timely manner
• Validate space with assortment plan to ensure appropriate depth is achieved by store volume
• Maximize Web sales, margin, and messaging
• Partner with the Director of Marketing to identify appropriate products to be advertised
• Manage and mentor direct reports, including Buyers, Associate Buyers, and Assistant Buyers
• Assess and react accordingly to competition concerning financial condition, trends, marketing, and product strategy
• Step into leadership situations and project leads as directed by the VP of Merchandising
• Partner with Planning, Replenishment and Allocation associates to calculate algorithms and assist the company in improving and developing a mastery of inventory control

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience as a merchant in a specialty retail environment or merchandising experience
• Ability to be onsite in Tyler, TX 5 days a week
• Proven experience in buying and merchandising within the apparel industry.
• Strong knowledge of inventory control and allocation processes.
• Excellent vendor relationship management skills.
• Ability to conduct strategic planning and analysis to drive purchasing decisions.
• Demonstrated expertise in pricing strategies and product knowledge.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on maximizing sales and profitability.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with private label products and team management is a plus.