Hardgoods Buyer

The Hardgoods buyer is responsible for the collegiate market merchandising functions for assigned categories, contributing to the development of business objectives, achieving sales and margin goals, executing the merchandising strategy, and providing analytical support, insights, and recommendations to the merchandise team.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Collaborate on the development of sales and margin plans and sales forecasts for assigned categories.
• Manage and control open-to-buy positioning and buys merchandise for assigned categories.
• Participate in negotiations directly with vendors on merchandise pricing, quantity, delivery, and terms.
• Create or develop merchandise mix based on consumer trends and business needs. Develop planograms and present product assortment to GM.
• Review advertising and promotion analytics to evaluate performance, refine merchandise plans and suggest adjustments to strategy.
• Lead category pricing strategy and execute exit strategies on slow selling items.
• Research competitive landscape and consumer trends to ensure alignment with strategy.
• Assist in development of in-store marketing materials, Ex. Signs, Posters, Displays.
• Identify merchandising risks and opportunities and presents recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience: Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business or operations related field
• 2-5 years of professional merchandising or retail operations experience
• Knowledge of vendor negotiation techniques
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to multi-task and work independently in a fast-paced environment

·        Must have Buying and Retail experience.

Physical requirements: Office and Retail environment

Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Requires the ability to be flexible and available to support the operation of the retail sales floor as needed