Associate Buyer - Drugstore & Baby

Responsibilities

Job Summary:

Participates in all buying and merchandising activities.

• The Associate BDM II / Associate Buyer II is the orientation job for the Business Development career path, designed to acclimate the Partner to the H-E-B Procurement environment and build key relationships required for the BDM / Buyer role
• Independently learns and participates in all buying and merchandising activities relating to specific categories assigned with training BDM / Buyer
• Participates in and learns the process of strategic planning, category/commodity buying, merchandising, pricing, assortment decisions, category development and overall best practices in conjunction with their training BDM / Buyer
• Works with assigned BDM to learn and participate in decisions on assortment, product placement, acquisition timing, distribution and financial results related to such decisions
• Leads Grocery department projects on key initiatives that interact with all merchants, Directors, VPs, and other departments when needed
• Works collaboratively with Shelf Edge, Supply Chain, Product Information, Own Brand, Global Sourcing, and other related areas
• Independently manages own category, or portion of larger category
• Develops strategies for categories
• Manages cost negotiation activities with vendors
• Ensures products are competitively priced, meeting price image objectives and financial objectives
• Manages pricing projects and new initiatives from concept to implementation
• Ensures consistent pricing communication materials and branding throughout pricing programs and processes, policies and other H-E-B initiatives
• Works collaboratively with BDMs / Buyers, providing input to develop category strategies
• Manages cost and retail relationships to support marketing and merchandising strategies

• Previous retail or commodity buying highly preferred but not required
• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Finance or related field or comparable experience
• 4+ years' experience in Business, Merchandising / Procurement or Store Operations
• Moderate PC skills including Microsoft Office Suite software, as well as computer software programs required by the job
• Working knowledge and experience in systems, process and analysis
• Working knowledge and experience in the product information data flow, category trends, promotional planning and category performance analysis

• Good organization and project management skills
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload with multiple deadlines (strong multitasking capabilities)
• Good written / verbal communication and presentation skills
• Good negotiating and influencing skills
• Ability to navigate through the organization
• Ability to work collaboratively on a cross-functional team and company-wide initiatives
• Ability to comprehend product information data flow (item, vendor, cost, price)
• Ability to solve problems within and across departments
• Provides proactive solutions with limited direction and input
• Demonstrates initiative and willingness to take risks

• Function in a fast-paced, retail, office environment
• Travel by car or airplane with overnight stays
• Sit for an extended period of time
• Lift 20 lbs or more on a regular basis
• Work extended hours

PROC
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