Specialty Retail Procurement Specialist

Job Summary:

The Paper Store is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Specialty Retail Buyer to join our team. As a key member of our purchasing and allocation department, you will be responsible for planning, purchasing, and monitoring pricing, merchandising, and marketing for assigned lines of business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement competitive merchandise assortment plans that meet customer needs and drive sales growth.
• Secure and analyze quotations from vendors, negotiate prices and terms, and select vendors based on cost, quality, and delivery competitiveness.
• Ensure product quality standards are met and customer expectations are exceeded through selection and pricing.
• Analyze sales history and trends to inform purchasing decisions and optimize inventory levels.
• Run and analyze reports to identify areas for improvement and create actionable recommendations.
• Shop competition to compare products, pricing, and merchandising strategies.
• Monitor and track quarterly goals and objectives, maintaining budgeted profit margins and OTB for designated areas.
• Integrate brand, sourcing, marketing, and retail supply chain functions into the merchandising process to drive business decisions.
• Troubleshoot irregularities with vendors and manage negotiations on key issues, including availability of new product, distribution of merchandise, timely deliveries, RTVs, and vendor allowances.
• Attend trade shows and conferences to research new industry trends and products.
• Coordinate and manage promotional activities and events.
• Develop and build positive, long-term supplier relationships.
• Responsible for procurement and purchasing activities on assigned projects/vendors.
• Define, develop, negotiate, and contract solutions that meet business requirements and enhance profitability by controlling/reducing costs, improving payment terms, reducing inventory, and optimizing supply chain efficiencies.
• Assist product developers in creating projects for new sourcing, sending and accepting cost quotes, and sample request process.
• Assist developers by researching retail price comps and retail line logic.
• Work closely with store merchandising teams and marketing teams to implement new and creative ways to feature product assortments at store and website levels.
• Manage and develop direct reports.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3-5 years' experience as a retail buyer
• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong ability in Microsoft Excel and database applications, including building spreadsheets ad hoc
• MicroStrategy reporting ability a plus
• Extremely detail-oriented and willing to analyze down to the lowest level
• Ability to work closely with a diverse group of people
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible with all assignments and retail trends
• Ability to work 3+ days/week at the Corporate Office in Acton, MA
• Professional presentation in attire, demeanor, and appearance

The Paper Store is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.