Summary:

Purchases and determines merchandise or commodities for resale by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Research product and pricing and enter into negotiations with vendors.
• Discover, select and certify vendors and their merchandise programs.
• Maintain relationships with existing suppliers; source new suppliers.
• Analyze consumer buying patterns to predict future trends.
• Write reports and forecast sales levels reacting to changes in demand. Report to upper management any change in direction and appropriate plans.
• Negotiate vendor programs and pricing to maximize sales, margin and profitability within each department.
• Increase sales, turns and GMROI through proper inventory management.
• Increase sales through the utilization of all available marketing and advertizing channels.
• Collaborate with vendors to maximize all available advertising/marketing funds to allow company to increase media presence while decreasing advertising expenditures.
• Schedule, and conduct timely category line reviews to identify sales trends and opportunities for growth or inventory reduction within each category.
• Create internal and external marketing and advertising for assigned product lines.
• Set-up new vendor accounts.
• Maintain vendor price files and vendor relationships.
• Establish and maintain budgets including financial planning, sales, inventory, turns and margins.
• Maintain communications with Vice President of Purchasing & Marketing regarding vendor performance and order status.
• Attend trade shows as needed throughout the year.
• Perform comparative analysis of products. Evaluate sales and inventory.
• Reinforce relationships with the stores through scheduled visits through the year; focusing on inventory levels and merchandising within the store, as well as market conditions in the area.
• Occasionally work a store sales floor and sell merchandise to become familiar with customer attitudes, preferences, purchasing preferences and assist with merchandising.
• Travel long distances and work on the road for up to a week at a time.
• Conduct product knowledge seminars with store personnel and vendors.
• Search for close outs and special buys.
• Work with analysts to optimize inventory mix and levels.
• Authorizes payment of invoices or return merchandise.
• Approves advertising copy for social media campaigns.
• Determines financial information such as price mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, and style number to print on price tickets.
• Conducts training meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise.
• Prices items for resale.
• Must be physically present at the C-A-L Ranch Support Center.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises one or more employees. Monitors supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree in business or equivalent work experience
• 4 years merchandising work experience at the Assistant Buyer or Replenishment Manager level
• Ability to multi task and prioritize work assignments
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Power Point, and especially Excel)
• Excellent analytical skills, able to create, understand and effect business through spreadsheets
• Strong retail merchandising skills
• Understanding of retail math, price point analysis, inventory turns and margin

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS or Master’s degree in business management
• 3-5 years retail buying experience
• 2-4 years retail operations or merchandising experience
• Strong analytical math skills
• Passion for merchandise and ability to select successful and profitable items
• Able to build assortments through line reviews
• Creative thinker with an open mind who leverages collaboration
• Category line review experience
• Efficient team player with a strong work ethic