Job Description
Job Summary

The Senior Buyer is responsible for the overall merchandising direction of a category or department with the goal of meeting/exceeding sales, margin and turn targets. Buyers maintain a singular focus on the product and customer by incorporating competitive intelligence, customer insight, and business analysis. Buyers are responsible for building the assortment plan that leads to the purchase and negotiation of merchandise with key product partners. Buyers partner with Planners & Sourcing Managers to develop strategies to maximize business opportunities and manage the Open to Buy in-season.

Key Roles And Responsibilities

Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans in partnership with planning, based on customer preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives
React quickly and decisively to business opportunities to achieve and consistently maintain positive comp sales growth and increased comp margin
Responsible for weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting of department results
Partners with Planner on development of merchandise financial plans and by-door assortment strategy by providing regular and timely input
Establishes deadlines and process within buying office ensuring company due dates and timelines are met
Effectively manage inventory and identify risks in assortment in partnership with planning
Build and maintain strong partnerships with product partners
Responsible for Product Development and Selection of merchandise supporting department strategy
Partner with direct sourcing on achieving margin improvement opportunities & negotiation of best costs
Optimize product partner matrix in partnership with direct sourcing
Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information in partnership with planning; Implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved.
Partner with Planner on open-to-buy process to manage business in-season and maximize opportunities
Review markdown candidates and make suggestions on additions/deletions in partnership with planning
Lead structured comp shop initiatives that inform strategic adjustments to assortment
Travel to all necessary markets and identify product opportunities
Build a high-quality buying office by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback
Supports initiatives to develop and maintain best practices to constantly improve efficacy and efficiency of the merchandising organization
Lead or participate in special project committees
Mentor & train others across the organization
Leads development and implementation of reinventions, visual initiatives, EDLP + and collaborations including coordination with cross – functional partners
Partner with Marketing and Digital to achieve strategic business objectives

Qualifications And Competencies

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
7-10 years of retail buying, planning or related experience; 4-5 years in retail buying
Possesses strong merchandising, product and marketing skills
Ability to source from and work with overseas markets as needed
Strong ability to identify global issues and communicate within the organization
Demonstrate strong analytical, negotiating and problem-solving skills
Ability develop/maintain strong working relationship with peers and cross-functional teams
Demonstrates leadership and decision-making skills
Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills
Willing and able to travel for market and store trips
Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities
Possesses a clear understanding of the supply chain: product development, sourcing, packaging and shipping
Able to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadline
Takes calculated risks to achieve results
Develops creative solutions to business issues
Identifies emerging trends and shops competition and market regularly

Type

: Exempt

When you’re a part of our team, you have the full support of a diverse, close-knit team in our stores. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law. At Home is committed to knitting diversity and inclusion into the fabric of our culture; we respect, appreciate, and celebrate the experiences and qualities that differentiate everyone on the At Home team.

About UsWhen you’re a part of our team, you have the full support of a diverse, close-knit team in our stores. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law. At Home is committed to knitting diversity and inclusion into the fabric of our culture; we respect, appreciate and celebrate the experiences and qualities that differentiate everyone on the At Home team.

Sr Buyer