Buyer

Job Description

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Merchandise Department supports the Product needs of Helzberg Diamonds by building powerful assortments, wide-ranging price points, bridal dominance, competitive quality and value across multiple fine jewelry categories and time pieces. The Merchandise team is responsible for identifying products that will sell, negotiating vendor contracts, and analyzing sales data to make sound purchasing decisions as well as searching globally for unique trends and hot selling jewelry products. The department has a significant impact on profitability by closely managing gross margin and inventory turns as well as asset/memo mix. Merchandise is an active partner with the Store Operations group and Marketing in driving Helzberg's business. The Merchandise department is organized into several groups: Bridal, Diamond Fashion, Gold, Watches, Color, Loose Diamonds, Outlets, Closeouts and Planning and Allocation.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Develop and maintain merchandise assortments for assigned categories that will achieve budgeted sales and margin plans while adhering to specific inventory levels and budgets and meeting product quality standards. Assist with developing merchandise plans for assigned products that support the company's sales and financial objectives. This position works very closely with internal partners in Marketing to support the merchandise and marketing strategies. It also serves as point of contact for their category with departments such as Store Operations, E-Commerce, Distribution and Visual Merchandise. The incumbent must have highly developed relationship building skills to build and maintain effective relationships with external merchandise vendors to achieve merchandising strategies.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Assist with developing plans to achieve merchandising objectives that will enable the company to meet or exceed financial plans. Develop and implement merchandise assortments and projects for assigned categories to meet objectives for both traditional stores and e-commerce. Understand competitive landscape; research and test new product to build into assortments.
• Assist with developing promotion plans to support merchandise and marketing objectives. Plan promotional events for assigned categories and proof catalogs for correct studio photos, realistic color, and accurate copy and pricing.
• Work with merchandise planners on assigned categories to achieve planned gross margin and return on investment.
• Develop and manage partnerships with vendors, including negotiating favorable terms and sourcing and developing new items, to ensure all product meets the company's merchandising and financial objectives. Work with vendors to resolve issues. Evaluate vendor performance and select new vendors to meet business needs.
• Oversee development and distribution of communication and training materials to stores regarding merchandise and programs. Provide higher-level support to stores as needed to solve problems.
• Manage multiple channels of the business. Work with E-Commerce team to ensure quality photographs are available and assist with resolving issues with vendors.
• Serve as backup for DVP as needed. Manage support staff or assist with training and development of buying staff.
• Analyze the state of businesses. Know how to read and react to both growth categories as well as ones that are down trending.
• Create and build brands for assigned categories.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent may supervise a staff of Associate Buyers, Assistant Buyers and/or Merchandise Detail Assistants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Retail Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Seven to ten years of merchandise management experience required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive jewelry knowledge preferred, along with demonstrated vendor negotiation experience and project management skills.
• Experience in product planning and forecasting, vendor negotiations, pricing analyses and inventory control is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of core buying skills required.
• Strong analytical skills, retail math and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.
• Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers.

COMPETENCIES:

Analytical Thinking, Business Knowledge, Integrity, Leadership, Relationship Building