Manages direct buying responsibility (based on vendors or classifications) and accountability for sales and margin performance within a product division. Responsible for managing a senior assistant buyer, an assistant buyer, or a merchandising assistant to exceed sales and margin plan performance, while developing assistants for promotability. 

Manages direct buying responsibility (based on vendors or classifications) and accountability for sales and margin dollar performance against plan.

Demonstrates the expertise in vendor relationships by skillful use of influence to achieve business goals. Effectively demonstrates ability to establish strong relationships with vendors and exercises flexibility in their approach to negotiations.  Displays an adept ability to decline offers to purchase goods while preserving their relationships with the vendors. Must establish and maintain a reputation of credibility and responsiveness in the marketplace (e.g., promptly returns vendor phone calls, ensures timely follow-up on issues, etc.). Must elicit critical information from vendors with regard to market trends and current buying activity of competitors. Must effectively communicate both internally & externally.

Demonstrates advanced problem solving skills. Objectively assesses merchandise mix in an attempt to continually improve assortments. Anticipates potential problems and risks; generates ideas, insights and solutions to resolve or "head-off" potential problems. Acts decisively to implement solutions to problem once an action plan is defined. Must use all available data to analyze situations and interprets statistics to make timely and sound business decisions. Must have working knowledge of all merchandising systems.  Must critically assess the price/value relationship based on knowledge of market and current business.

Responsible to constantly improve assortments.  Insures merchandise mix reflects on Department and Specialty Store resource structure. Insures adherence to company vendor ranking guidelines. Consistently seeks out new resources to broaden merchandise mix and pursues creative methods of seeking out desired merchandise (e.g., factory visits, store stocks, jobbers, etc.). Responsible to shop competition , regularly identifying opportunities, trends, labels, etc.

Responsible for the human resources management of a senior assistant, assistant buyer, or merchandising assistant. Proactively manages assistant on a continual basis; sets high performance standards and provides feedback to subordinates about performance.  Accurately assesses individuals against performance standards; ensures that staff members clearly understand job expectations. Assists directly in the professional development of assistants and encourages them to assume increased responsibilities.

Responsible for proper liquidity management.  Effectively manages Open-to-Buy on a 90 day basis; maintains available monies for unexpected opportunistic buys. Ensures adherence to policy as pertaining to Purchase Order Mgmt (timely processing of P.O.'s for Flow and Packaway).

Demonstrates fiscal responsibility through prudent and effective inventory management. Negotiates for packaway goods to offset additional costs of storing merchandise (e.g. additional dating, vendors holding merchandise etc.).  Manages receipts in terms of balancing assortments and flexing from flow versus packaway.  Manages receipts in terms of balancing assortments and flexing from flow versus packaway. Takes calculated risks in securing merchandise / opportunistic buys into packaways. Maintains planned receipt flow on a consistent basis. Insures adherence to scheduled shipping windows. Effectively alters planned receipt flow based on business trends.

Position located in L.A., Calif....company will re-locate.

·          Prior buying experience (either buying in regional-size retailer or buyer in large retail chain)

·          Thorough knowledge of merchandising and technical aspects of merchandising (e.g., fabric, design, silhouettes, etc.).

·          Strong negotiation skills.

·          Must have had extensive vendor negotiation and interaction, with exposure to close-out or opportunistic buying preferred.

·          Requires minimum of seven years retail merchandising experience.  Minimum three years experience involving direct buying responsibility.

·          Demonstrated ability to mentor or lead subordinates. 

·          Demonstrated decision-making ability.

·          Demonstrated leadership ability.

·          Highly effective verbal communication and collaborative skills.

·          Strong analytical and conceptual skills.     

·          Strong analytical and PC skills, with an emphasis on spreadsheet applications.

·          Thorough knowledge of merchandising systems.