Buyer, Gourmet

Why You'll Love World Market

You won't find a store and team like this anywhere else! We're passionate about our mission to delight customers with a unique, ever-changing marketplace of products from around the world. Our assortment is curated with stylish home décor, quality furniture, thoughtful gifts, time-honored handicrafts, and international food and beverage favorites. From handpicked finds to heartfelt teamwork, World Market is where uniqueness isn't just celebrated—it's what sets us apart.

Our team means the world to us! We value authenticity, empowerment and respect and we take pride in what we do. If you're looking for a collaborative, fast-moving environment where your contributions are valued, growth is supported and you can have a little fun—you've found it!

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Benefits that support health, financial security, and personal life needs.
• Paid vacation and paid sick time
• 401(k) plan with Roth option and company match
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources to be and do your best
• Sample Sales and up to 30% shopping discount on our unique finds for you and your designated shopper
• Work life balance and work from home flexibility
• Working with a team who thinks the world of you

In this role, you will:

Own the Business:
Develop and execute strategies

• Strategically create assortments that meet financial metrics.
• Develop core and seasonal products which excite our customers.
• Build assortment plans through competitive shopping, working with vendors, and understanding trends.
• Demonstrate a strong awareness of competition and the market.
• Speak confidently about product vision and category performance to internal and external partners.
• Travel to vendor factories and attend trade shows domestically and internationally (as appropriate for the business).

Drive the Business:
Manage financial aspects and demonstrate strong business acumen and agility

• Manage Open to Buy (OTB) and Buy Plans for designated category along with Inventory Management partners.
• Actively manage the business both in forward planning and in-season execution.
• Review business regularly; analyzing, summarizing, and making recommendations.
• Quickly zero in on key business opportunities and create competitive and breakthrough strategies/plans.
• Manage promotional strategies to maximize sales and profitability.

Manage sourcing relationships and internal communications for all customer-facing programs:

• Manage vendor relationships: negotiate best possible pricing, handle quality assurance issues, organize claims preparation, return to vendor (RTV) process, vendor income support and track and resolve outstanding issues.
• Identify, source, and onboard new vendors (working with agents and internal Vendor Relations teams).
• Research, prepare, and present new product ideas and concepts to internal partners.
• Provide Advertising, Marketing, Visual and eCommerce support needed to drive sales of your categories.
• Confirm accuracy of all marketing exposure and signs.

Demonstrate strong leadership behaviors:

• Demonstrate the ability to influence, make decisions, and act without having the total picture; comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Manage the professional development of one or more Assistant and/or Associate Buyers.
• Build rapport quickly and establish positive and productive relationships with internal colleagues and external business partners.

You will spend up to 3 days per week on average at our Alameda, CA Home Office

What You'll Bring

• Passion for the business.
• A high level of business acumen, agility, and curiosity.
• A keen eye for style and trends.
• Strong leadership and team collaboration skills.
• Resourcefulness:
  Critical thinking capabilities, creative problem solving, and taking appropriate risks.
• Ability to identify, develop and manage existing business and spot future trends.
• An enthusiasm for travel and exploring.
• Excellent analytical skills; trend forecasting and item management.
• Excellent planning and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to develop subordinates.
• Strong PC skills including Microsoft Office Applications such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word.
• Minimum 5-7 years buying experience with a multi-unit retailer including domestic or foreign travel.
• Bachelor's degree required.

CA Pay Range is $110,000 to $150,000 annually