Retail Buyer; Kill Devil Hills, NC

Job Overview

This analytical, trend-aware individual will support the delivery of key financial metrics such as sales, open-to-buy, profit, margin, and promotional activities with a focus on inventory management, business analysis, vendor/internal relationships, and product development for multiple locations. Accountable for meeting goals that focus on driving profitability, the role involves developing store and category sales plans, promotional activities, exit strategies, and defining product needs by category that align with objectives to manage the optimal product assortment within the financial framework that meets or exceeds sales and margin plans.

• Inventory management through planning, forecasting, replenishing, transfers and returns for multiple locations. Ensure inventory levels are sufficient and appropriate to support sales and align with other key financial goals, including forecasting and reacting to surges in product demand. Respond to changing sales trends, ensuring stores achieve planned sales, inventory levels and profitability.
• Monitor and track sales and sell-through daily and manage product selling life cycle. Thoroughly analyze category selling data. Use analytical skills to identify potential problems and develop appropriate solutions. Work with the warehouse to ensure correct flow of merchandise, replenish stores from back stock.
• Maintain relationships with vendors to negotiate best price, guaranteed sales, markdown allowance, terms, and shipping cost to improve cost of goods sold. Perform vendor analysis including sales, profitability, turn, and markdowns.
• Determine pricing, margins and markdowns on merchandise. Develop test strategies for new business and promotional ideas.
• Create a final assortment designed to drive sales: plan quantities and styles, perform category and item analyses, and develop key item strategies at price points. Quickly identify successful and/or profitable key item product categories and respond accordingly.
• Report to manager weekly on category metrics, prepare for and attend monthly Open-To-Buy meetings.
• Regularly visit stores to review the product and operation and evaluate processes, inventory movement, displays, merchandise assortment, etc.
• Resolve any order issues, including pricing and arrange for timely returns and/or markdown strategies.
• Actively maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of market trends, regularly provide feedback on competition and customer experience, and demonstrate a commitment to quality.
• Manage the delivery of clear, comprehensive, and accurate product information, including training, to the stores.
• Partner with E‑Commerce Manager to present fresh and on‑trend products.
• Oversee file maintenance in an organized and secure manner, including vendor setup, SKU setup and product information.
• During 14 weeks of the season, work in the stores one shift per week and be scheduled for a 6‑day work week.
• Attend trade shows as assigned.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A) from a four‑year college or university in Business or a related field, or an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills and abilities.
• 1‑2 years of related inventory management or buying experience and/or training, with multiple locations a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and One Note, advanced skills in Excel.
• Experience with inventory management systems such as Counter Point or Retail Clarity a plus but not required.

Language skills
:
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations; ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers and the general public. Good verbal and written communication skills.

Mathematical skills
:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume; ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning ability
:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety…