Buyer - Men's (Swim/Outwear/Workwear)

Sears Holdings Corporation is looking for a Buyer who will manage key categories within our Apparel Business Unit. This is a tremendous opportunity to manage a team, manage your categories and have true autonomy within your role.

The Buyer is responsible for meeting planned sales, margin and inventory turnover goals for their designated area. This position will report directly to the Division Merchandise Manager and work closely with the merchandise planning team, promotional planning team, merchandise placement team and the merchandising support team to significantly improve the profitability and maximize shareholder value.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Executes sales, margin and inventory plans
• Monitors performance versus plan to identify trend opportunities
• Manages all aspects of the merchandise offering - selection, negotiation, promotion, commission and disposition
• Develops customer driven assortments that support departmental goals and key item focus
• Provides collaborative guidance, direction and support to the planning organization in the development of merchandise, key item and ladder plans
• Ensures the merchandise selection matches customer needs, customer orientation and satisfaction
• Ensures merchandise mix balances quantity, style, size and price consistent with company and individual market requirements
• Develops line strategies utilizing assortment optimization tools
• Prepares for and presents products at Assortment Reviews, Line and Business Reviews
• Attends relevant trade shows, markets and events to observe market trends, gather product information, selects merchandise and establish business relationships with viable vendors
• Visits stores to evaluate merchandise mix, observes competition, weighs individual store needs and translate findings into executable product plans
• Establishes collaborative relationships with inventory team to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise
• Develops and maintains relationships with vendors and interacts with the vendor community within Sears' standards and codes of ethics
• Manages vendor performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives
• Selects products to maximize return of advertising expenses. Partners with marketing team to reconcile marketing plans and promotional calendar. Monitors and maintains promotional performance
• Partners with the inventory team to complete accurate forecasts by evaluating financial information, current trends and anticipated market changes that impact buy decisions and strategies
• Coaches and develops Senior National Merchant to ensure growth and readiness for next level position
• Drives compliance and standards with processes, policies, tools, and associates within the group
• Ensures promotional execution accuracy (pricing, signage)
• Negotiates subsidies with vendors and collaborates with business partners
• Performs supervisory responsibilities, including, but not limited to: making employment decisions regarding hiring, promoting, demoting, and terminating; conducting performance appraisals; and coaching and developing associates
• Up to 20% Travel (Domestic)

Job Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree, preferred
• At least 7 years of Retail and/or OEM Retail Experience, preferred
• At least 3 plus years of Management experience with direct reports, preferred
• Microsoft Office (Intermediate Excel), must
• Demonstrated leadership and decision making skills
• Proficiency in the use of desktop applications and Windows-based programs
• Retail math literacy and application of concepts to daily operations
• Strong working knowledge of merchant processes and systems
• Strong merchandising, product and analytical skills

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