Associate Buyer in Smyrna, GA at Floor and Decor - Full-time

PURPOSE

This position is responsible for developing and building strategies that will make the company an industry leader in hard surface flooring. Working with a Senior Buyer or Buyer, this position will develop the strategy for a category and manage entire product category including: planning and budgeting, analysis, space planning/allocation, advertising/promotion, and inventory management. Full profit/loss responsibility for category managed. Position reports to a Senior Buyer or Buyer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

?

• Develop company-wide strategies to maximize and achieve budgeted targets for sales and margin in respective product categories.
• Serve as an industry expert with deep and technical knowledge of products, industry, vendors, competition, and trends. Continually assess industry trends in order to provide strategic guidance necessary for short and long term planning.
• Create "best-in-class" product assortments to maximize regional sales and positioning through direct sourcing as well as domestic vendors. Ensure that the company is leading trends and carrying appropriate assortment of good, better, and best products.
• Successfully negotiate lowest prices, best terms and establish core retail prices in alignment with our company-wide "level" pricing strategies.
• Create strong, long-term and strategic new vendor relationships while continuously developing existing partnerships.
• Partner with Regional Merchandise Managers to execute best assortments by store and market. Ensure product assortments are sufficient to satisfy all market needs.
• Partner with Inventory team to improve turns and in stocks through forecasting, vendor management and overall product transitions.
• Partner with Marketing team to set core product/price promotional strategies including special purchases, new product launches, promotions, etc.
• Partner with planners on all category forecasts and margin analysis and maximization.
• Provide input and direction on category visual display and signage strategies.
• Responsible for category-specific training materials development

Job Requirements

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and/or Merchandising preferred

• Three years of merchandising experience required or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job, as determined by the company. Additional relevant experience can be substituted for the required education on the basis of one calendar year of experience for one academic year of education.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to recognize, influence and maximize trends in the market.
• Proven track record of buying and inventory management experience.
• Strong negotiation skills with successful outcomes and ongoing mutually beneficial business relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and team building skills.
• Solid team management and development skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making skills.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Intermediate to advanced level Excel).
• Must possess excellent customer service skills and work well under pressure.
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.