What are the responsibilities and job description for the Terrain Buyer - Garden Utility position at Terrain?
Role Summary:
The Terrain Buyer for Garden Utility is responsible for overseeing the creation of a compelling and timely Omni Channel product assortment that meets or exceeds the sales volume and profits for select Garden Utility classes. They are to execute the vision of the Managing Director, DMM, GMM and Creative Director and intuitively respond to customer feedback and market trends. In addition, this person must develop action plans that drive category specific growth and increase profitability. This person is responsible for the entire product life cycle from conception to post-season analysis. They will be accountable to the success of their business unit and are expected to use data along with their intuition to direct the assortment of their category. A primary function of this role will be managing a Merchandise Assistant, with the long-term goal of managing an Assistant Buyer, ensuring they are being supported in achieving their classifications goals.
Role Responsibilities:
- Analyze weekly and monthly sales, stock and on-order with the goal of optimizing sales and minimizing markdowns.
- Manage the financial elements of the business, e.g., OTB, IMU, MD’s, etc. for assigned classes
- Identify the appropriate products and trends that will appeal to the customer and exceed internal sales and margin goals, while aligning with the brand’s concept and core aesthetic
- Own product development process from design to creation of techpacks and sourcing to delivery, with the support of your team
- Hit all calendar milestones in the product development process to secure on-time deliveries, while ensuring team is doing the same
- Partner with the Sr Buyer, DMM, GMM and Creative Director, along with comprehensive analysis of the business, e.g., last year results, current trends, etc, to confirm buying and production direction is on target
- Build relationships with vendors and negotiate with them for the best pricing
- Ensure assortment built for each season can hit all key metrics (sales, IMU and GM), through pre season and in season sku planning and analysis
- Quantify initial buy quantities, along with replenishment quantities to ensure an optimal stock position, keeping in mind lead-times, vendor issues and shipping delays, along with seasonal builds
- Be point person for optimizing container space for shipping your goods, along with willingness to learn proper packaging for category
- Work in-season to analyze and react to current business trends, actively pursuing emerging opportunities and pivoting strategy, when appropriate, to mitigate risk
- Formulate and implement long-term and short-term strategies with leadership team to capitalize on fast-pacing categories, while exploring new product categories to go after.
- Actively coach and mentor Merch Asst in their personal development. Support an open and inclusive environment that prides itself on innovation, proactivity, customer focus and teamwork.
- An understanding of the Terrain customer’s wants and needs and the ability to identify the appropriate product/trend that will appeal to the customer and exceed their expectations.
- The ability to prioritize tasks and the ability to balance the immediate and long term needs of the business.
- The ability to collect, assimilate, analyze, package and present information to Terrain’s management team in a way that permits them to make an informed decision and take measurable action.
- The ability to recognize a new trend, item, look, fabrication/technique early in its lifecycle.
- Willingness to develop own-brand product, with the Terrain point of view
- The ability to make the transition from strategic (conceptual and planning) to execution. Financial acumen and the ability to manipulate numbers are critical in achieving tactical objectives.
- Strength in excel, understanding use of formulas, pivot tables and reporting
- Leadership skills to build and develop a solid team of individuals that share a common vision and understanding of the Company.
- Four-year degree in Fashion or Business preferred
- 5 years of buying/planning/product development with a vertical retailer
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits
EEO Statement:
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.
