Job Description
Job Title: Retail buyer
Location: Dallas, TX
Job Summary:
The Senior Retail Buyer will be responsible for strategically curating and managing product categories, driving sales, and optimizing inventory levels. This role requires a data-driven individual with extensive experience in all facets of retail buying, including advanced Excel proficiency for data analysis and reporting, accurate forecasting, strategic pricing, skillful negotiation, and the ability to cultivate strong, long-term vendor relationships. The ideal candidate will possess a keen understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and financial acumen to achieve departmental goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Assortment & Buying: Develop and execute comprehensive buying strategies for assigned product categories, aligning with company objectives and financial targets.
- Identify and source new products, brands, and trends to maintain a competitive and desirable product offering.
- Manage the entire product lifecycle from concept to end-of-life, ensuring optimal inventory flow.
- Conduct thorough market research, competitive analysis, and trend identification to inform buying decisions.
- Data Analysis & Forecasting (Advanced Excel Proficiency Required): Utilize advanced Excel functions (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, conditional formatting, data validation, charting) to analyze sales data, inventory levels, promotional effectiveness, and profitability.
- Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts, open-to-buy plans, and inventory projections.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and generate detailed reports to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
- Present data-backed insights and recommendations to management for strategic decision-making.
- Pricing Strategy: Develop and implement effective pricing strategies to maximize sales, gross margin, and market share.
- Analyze pricing elasticity and competitive pricing to optimize product positioning.
- Manage promotional activities and markdown strategies to clear excess inventory and drive traffic.
- Negotiations: Lead complex negotiations with vendors to secure favorable terms, pricing, payment conditions, and delivery schedules.
- Develop strong negotiation strategies based on market analysis, volume potential, and long-term partnership goals.
- Ensure all agreements are documented and adhered to.
- Vendor Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with new and existing vendors.
- Act as the primary point of contact for vendor communication, addressing issues and opportunities promptly and professionally.
- Conduct regular vendor performance reviews and ensure adherence to quality, delivery, and ethical standards.
- Collaborate with vendors on product development, marketing initiatives, and joint business plans.
- Inventory Management: Work closely with planning and logistics teams to optimize inventory levels, minimize stockouts, and reduce overstock.
- Monitor vendor performance regarding on-time delivery and order accuracy.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with marketing, merchandising, operations, and finance teams to ensure a cohesive approach to product launches, promotions, and inventory management.
- Communicate buying strategies and product information to internal stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, Merchandising, or a related field.
- [X+] years of progressive retail buying experience, preferably within [mention specific industry/product categories, e.g., apparel, electronics, home goods].
- Demonstrated expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions for data manipulation, analysis, and reporting. (Candidates may be subject to an Excel proficiency test.)
- Proven track record in accurate sales forecasting and open-to-buy management.
- Extensive experience in strategic pricing and promotional planning.
- Superior negotiation skills with a history of achieving favorable terms and building strong vendor partnerships.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Strong understanding of retail math, gross margin, and profitability drivers.
- Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in retail management software (e.g., ERP systems, inventory management software) is a plus.
Benefits:
Job Tags