Merchandise Buyer Job Description
Merchandise buyer
provides retail Industry insight (RMS and RPM) to better utilize Oracle Retail Package features for the organization.
Merchandise Buyer Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective merchandise buyer job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included merchandise buyer job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Recommends catalog SKU selection, new merchandise programs, sales trends, and assortments which lead to sales growth and overall productivity in their area
Liaison with marketing manager on marketing efforts, product knowledge, product selection, merchandising
Provides appropriate feedback and coaching to assigned associates in order to address performance areas in need of development and improvement
Liaison with marketing manager on marketing efforts, product selection, merchandising
Evaluating market trends and price of goods and supplies in the market
Networking and negotiating with suppliers for competitive prices
Making and filling all documentations like purchase orders
Preparing reports and analysis for reorders
Assisting in making budgets and plans for the future purchase of products
Keeping a record of all orders
Merchandise Buyer Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Merchandise Buyer
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPM
Education for Merchandise Buyer
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the merchandise buyer job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and High School Degree in Business, Communication, History, Fashion, Merchandising, Education, Marketing, High School Education, General Education, Associates
Skills for Merchandise Buyer
Desired skills for merchandise buyer include:
Area
Circumference
Commissions
Discounts
Interest
Oracle Retail Management System
Percentages
Proportions
Volume
Excel
Desired experience for merchandise buyer includes:
Analyzing reports and strategizing future plans for orders
Following and completing all delegated tasks
Merchandising of merchandise in store locations
Attend necessary events
Be able to communicate with written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
1-2 years buying experience or equivalent in a fast paced retail business
Merchandise Buyer Examples
1
Merchandise Buyer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is searching for experienced candidates for the position of merchandise buyer. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for merchandise buyer
- Develops assortment plans and sku counts by department that will drive revenue while minimizing inventory risks
- Partners with the Merchandise Assistant to address inventory liquidation
- Responsible for training and development of Associate Buyer
- Overall direction and maintenance of respective merchandise category
- Establish retail prices to maximize gross margins while still conveying value to the customer
- Work with Planners and Inventory Analytic teams to set program parameters
- Will work a rotating schedule of 7a-5p or 8a-6p Monday-Friday, but additional hours may be required as circumstance arise
- Travel required based upon business needs
- Negotiating with suppliers and vendors for competitive prices
- Prepare and place purchase orders for current and upcoming seasons and events
Qualifications for merchandise buyer
- 1-2 year’s experience working with vendors , and licensees
- Knowledge of the sporting and entertainment industry preferred ( not required)
- Extremely organized, with incredible attention to detail
- Fluent in multi-tasking within a fast-paced environment
- Preferred thorough knowledge of creative product development, vendor sourcing, and merchandise strategic planning
- Specialty retail background (i.e., apparel, giftware, imports, or character merchandise) is highly preferred
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Merchandise Buyer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking for a merchandise buyer. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for merchandise buyer
- Assist with ensuring inventory levels are current within the POS system
- Ensuring that inventory levels are properly distributed to all locations
- Assisting with merchandising of locations for optimum generation of sales
- Participate and assist with Special events when needed
- Prepares purchase orders and places orders for the purchase of goods and services
- Sources products, negotiates costs, new product sources, and evaluates total cost of ownership for key categories
- Responsible to drive cost savings and improved efficiencies, quality, and specifications through regular supplier / internal reviews
- Evaluates market / economic conditions through research and analysis of impact on key category
- Serves as liaison between Chico's FAS client and suppliers as directed by business and or finance team
- Forecasts procurement needs in hardware, reviews inventory levels and work closely with IT team
Qualifications for merchandise buyer
- Previous experience within a UK fast paced buying role is essential
- Experience of far east sourcing is desirable
- Highly articulate and engaging communication style
- Entrepreneurial and very creative
- Ability to interact cross functionally and manage expectations
- Confidence to challenge, influence and persuade suppliers
3
Merchandise Buyer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of merchandise buyer. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for merchandise buyer
- Develops and maintains bid schedule for all IT Hardware and Service programs
- Maintains industry knowledge regarding advancement in the areas of IT Procurement
- Researches global and domestic suppliers for new technology and alternatives in the industry
- Monitors and report to management vendor performance as it relates to quality and on time delivery
- Develops strategic sourcing approach to IT category
- Leads RFP process to present supplier selection to senior management
- Interprets and evaluate agreement provisions and provides input for direction
- Manages of all technical related projects with internal and external partners
- Collaborate with Merchandise and Sales teams to drive accurate SKU-level demand plan
- Executes inventory replenishment/reorders across all categories to support retail, custom, wholesale and recognition sales channels
Qualifications for merchandise buyer
- Previous experience of managing margins and sales
- Proven track record of delivering Supplier income
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, ideally within a business or retail-related discipline would prove advantageous
- Knowledge of the electronics business
- Great product taste and curious about starting new businesses
- Ability to access information using automated systems (e.g., windows based computer)
4
Merchandise Buyer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking to fill the role of merchandise buyer. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for merchandise buyer
- Communicate and justify forecast assumptions to internal partners and external suppliers
- Connect SKU/category level plans to overall sales and financial objectives, highlight areas of risk and provide alternate recommendations
- Drive replenishment item performance through the analysis, planning, ordering and management of items
- Prevent and reduce overstock, slow-moving and obsolete inventory
- Investigate root cause of overstocks, out of stocks, and turn opportunities and implement action plan
- Support allocations team in implementation of consistent and profitable replenishment strategies and practice
- Follow up with vendors on outstanding purchase orders with buyer assistance
- Communicate and coordinate between marketing, sales, customer service and operations in the event of inventory concerns
- PO maintenance in CounterPoint POS system
- Visit Puget Sound stores quarterly, visit other stores annually or as needed
Qualifications for merchandise buyer
- Merchandising and/or administrative purchase order experience, in a retail environment strongly preferred
- Understand basic retail formulas with the ability to audit data entry for errors
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle critical deadlines/prioritize work and business processes and able to multi-task regularly
- 5-7 years' experience in retail buying, procurement and/or category management experience
- Ability to create and execute assortment strategies while maintaining efficient time management
- Possesses strong analytical and retail math skills while having the ability to interpret historical data and sales trends in order to make smart buying decisions to achieve financial goals
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Merchandise Buyer Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is hiring for a merchandise buyer. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for merchandise buyer
- Weekly and monthly recap of business by department
- Review of cost of PIW and set to correct merchandise class and subclass
- Responsible for POG set up and sku by store level integrity
- Involved with test, expansion and line review decisions
- Completing of PRF for cross functional meeting
- Communication and working with internal partners
- Detailed notes and recaps when needed
- Attend vendor meetings with team and take notes
- Comp shop/research category trends
- Help with selection of test items
Qualifications for merchandise buyer
- Ability to work independently to execute daily tasks on projects and meet required timelines for completion
- Ability to interface and maintain excellent professional relationships with corporate partners, field partners and vendors
- Must have strong communication and negotiation skills and be able to articulate strategy and execution to all business partners and vendors
- Familiarity with fitness and/or supplement industry a plus
- 4-5 years of retail buying, procurement, and/or category management experience
- Direct responsibility for financial performance of assigned departments