Sr Buyer-Kitchen

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Buyer is a key strategic leader responsible for developing and executing the merchandise strategy for a high-impact, high-revenue category. Managing one of the most complex and profitable areas of the business, the Senior Buyer leverages advanced product knowledge, customer insight, and market analysis to curate an assortment that maximizes financial performance and elevates the brand’s positioning. This role requires a strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can balance creative vision with financial rigor.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned merchant with a proven track record in managing complex categories and driving large-scale results. They will lead and influence cross-functional teams, including Planning, Sourcing, Product Development, and Go-to-Market partners, ensuring that each category strategy delivers compelling customer experience and strong return on investment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategic Category Leadership
  Own the end-to-end strategy for a top-performing, complex category with significant sales and margin impact. Build long-term roadmaps rooted in customer insights, financial targets, and white space opportunities. Provide vision and leadership to align internal partners and external vendors with business goals.

• Advanced Product Expertise & Innovation
  Act as the senior product expert for the category—championing innovation, quality differentiation, and storytelling. Identify emerging trends and competitive shifts to continuously evolve the assortment and maintain market leadership.

• Financial Ownership & In-Season Management
  Collaborate closely with Planning to develop and manage detailed merchandise financial plans, by-door allocations, and Open to Buy management. Make data-driven, proactive in-season decisions to deliver sales, margin, and turn goals.

• Vendor Strategy & Sourcing Partnership
  Provide clear and strategic guidance to sourcing partners to drive margin expansion, vendor matrix optimization, and supply chain efficiency. Maintain senior-level vendor relationships and negotiate from a position of strength.

• Cross-functional leadership & Influence
  Lead and mentor cross-functional partners by setting clear expectations, championing accountability, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Influence across levels and functions to gain alignment and deliver results.

• Performance Analytics & Optimization
  Review weekly and monthly selling reports to identify patterns, inform decisions, and seize opportunities quickly. Lead hindsight and forecasting conversations with rigor and urgency.

• Inventory & Markdown Strategy
  Drive alignment on inventory flow, exit strategies, and markdown cadence in partnership with Planning. Balance financial goals with customer experience through proactive inventory and pricing decisions.

• Market Intelligence & Competitive Differentiation
  Lead structured competitive analyses to identify gaps, trends, and opportunities. Ensure the category remains differentiated and ahead of evolving customer expectations.

• Cross-Functional Execution & Brand Alignment
  Ensure full integration of category strategy across Marketing, eCommerce, Visual Merchandising, and other key partners. Champion consistency and clarity in how the category shows up across all customer touchpoints.

   

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in buying, merchandising, or category management—preferably managing large, complex, or high-growth categories.
• Proven ability to deliver financial results and strategic growth through effective product and vendor management.
• Advanced product sensibility with a sharp eye for trend, value, and innovation.
• Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and executive communication abilities.
• Adept at influencing across teams and levels; comfortable leading through complexity and ambiguity.

• Passionate about the customer, data-driven storytelling, and shaping the future of retail.