Apparel Buyer

As a Merchandiser (Buyer) of Apparel at our retail business, you will play a vital role in ensuring the success of our apparel category by strategically planning, implementing, and managing merchandise assortments. Your primary focus will be on curating a visually appealing and customer-centric shopping experience. You will work closely with the merchandising team, suppliers, and cross-functional partners to drive sales, maximize profitability, and maintain a fresh and enticing product offering.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Merchandise Planning and Assortment Strategy:

• Collaborate with the merchandising team to develop seasonal merchandise plans and assortment strategies that align with company goals and customer preferences.

• Conduct market research, analyze industry trends, and monitor competitors to identify opportunities and inform product selection and pricing decisions.

• Create and manage merchandise plans, ensuring optimal inventory levels, product mix, and assortment balance.

• Collaborate with suppliers and negotiate terms, pricing, and exclusivity agreements.

Product Selection and Vendor Management:

• Select merchandise based on customer preferences, market trends, and sales data analysis.

• Attend trade shows, visit showrooms, and engage in supplier meetings to source and evaluate new products and brands.

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiating pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.

• Monitor vendor performance and collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely deliveries, resolve quality issues, and maintain strong partnerships.

Visual Merchandising and Store Presentation:

• Develop and execute visual merchandising plans and guidelines to create appealing and customer-friendly product displays.

• Ensure visual consistency across stores, aligning with brand standards and seasonal campaigns.

• Collaborate with store teams to provide guidance on merchandising techniques, product placement, and display optimization.

• Regularly visit stores to evaluate visual standards, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective actions.

Inventory Management and Sales Analysis:

• Monitor sales performance, inventory levels, and product sell-through rates.

• Conduct regular analysis of sales data to identify trends, product performance, and opportunities for improvement.

• Collaborate with the planning and allocation team to forecast demand, optimize inventory levels, and manage replenishment strategies.

• Identify slow-moving or obsolete inventory and develop action plans to mitigate risks and maximize profitability.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop promotional strategies, marketing campaigns, and in-store events to drive traffic and increase sales.

• Partner with the e-commerce team to ensure consistent product presentation and optimize online merchandising strategies.

• Work closely with the store operations team to provide training and guidance on visual standards, product knowledge, and customer experience.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of apparel market trends, fashion industry, and customer preferences.

• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret sales data and make data-driven decisions.

• Proficiency in using merchandising tools, inventory management systems, and MS Office Suite.

• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.

• Creative and detail-oriented mindset with a keen eye for visual presentation.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and

store personnel.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and manage multiple priorities.

• Must demonstrate an ability to think strategically, plan and organize effectively.

• Must be able to maintain an exemplary degree of professionalism in all situations.

• The ability to execute directives with precision and consistency.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft office products is required.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Fashion, Business, or a related field.

• Previous experience in apparel merchandising, buying, or related roles in the retail industry. Bachelor’s degree in computer science and/or other related field is required.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk; or hear.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

• The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

General Information:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. DTLR, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.