Senior Buyer

As a Buyer for our footwear brand, you will be responsible for selecting and purchasing merchandise that aligns with our brand's vision, market trends, and customer preferences. You will work closely with vendors, suppliers, and internal teams to source, negotiate terms, and secure the best assortment of footwear products to drive sales and profitability. The role requires a keen understanding of consumer behavior, market trends, and product assortment strategies to curate a compelling product offering that resonates with our target audience.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Selection: Collaborate with merchandising, product development, and marketing teams to develop a strategic assortment plan for footwear products that meets customer needs and aligns with the brand's image and objectives.
2. Vendor Management: Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and exclusivity agreements. Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to ensure timely delivery and product quality.
3. Trend Analysis: Stay abreast of market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor activities in the footwear industry. Analyze sales data, customer feedback, and industry reports to identify emerging trends and opportunities for new product introductions.
4. Assortment Planning: Develop seasonal assortment plans and product matrices that reflect market trends, customer demographics, and sales objectives. Determine the optimal mix of styles, colors, sizes, and price points to maximize sales and margin potential.
5. Pricing and Negotiation: Negotiate pricing, terms, and promotional allowances with vendors to optimize margins while remaining competitive in the market. Monitor and analyze pricing trends and competitor pricing strategies to inform pricing decisions.
6. Inventory Management: Work closely with inventory planners and demand forecasters to ensure optimal inventory levels and stock replenishment strategies. Monitor inventory turn rates, sell-through rates, and aging inventory to minimize stockouts and excess inventory.
7. Purchase Order Management: Generate and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with vendor agreements and company policies. Coordinate with logistics and warehouse teams to facilitate timely receipt and distribution of merchandise.
8. Performance Tracking: Track and analyze sales performance, product sell-through rates, and inventory metrics to evaluate the success of assortment strategies and make data-driven decisions for future assortments.
9. Seasonal Planning: Participate in seasonal planning meetings and product line reviews to provide input on assortment strategies, product trends, and pricing recommendations.
10. Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams including merchandising, marketing, sales, and finance to ensure alignment of assortment strategies with overall business objectives and financial targets.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, or related field. MBA or relevant certifications are a plus.
2. 3+ years of experience in retail buying, merchandise planning, or related roles within the footwear or fashion industry.
3. Strong negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers.
4. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with proficiency in Excel and retail math.
5. Creative thinking and ability to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the footwear market.
6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functional teams.
7. Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
8. Knowledge of retail buying processes, inventory management principles, and understanding of consumer behavior and fashion trends.
9. Familiarity with retail merchandising software, ERP systems, and demand planning tools is preferred.

This position offers the opportunity to drive the product assortment strategy for a dynamic footwear brand, contributing to the company's growth and success in the competitive retail market. If you are passionate about footwear fashion, possess strong analytical skills, and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.