Associate Merchant / Buyer for Building Materials and Distribution

Job Description

Time Type:

Full time

Role Details:

Time Type: Full TimeStarting Pay: $50,000 / YRJob Location: 1350 IH 35 N, San Marcos, TX 78667

SUMMARY

Gains knowledge to become the subject matter expert in assigned categories and learns to define and manage strategic roles and responsibilities in assigned categories.

Will learn all aspects of Category Management, including, but not limited to, strategies and tactics, assortment planning and development, replenishment, pricing, costing, payment terms, and promotions. Gains knowledge to impact the financial performance of assigned categories: Inventory Turnover, Gross Margin, GMROI, and Sales. Recommends and assists with the development and execution of Marketing and Advertising programs to support stores’ sales efforts. Will learn negotiation and Vendor Relations skills by attending and participating in regular meetings, factory visits, and trade shows.

Works to become proficient in our Distribution Center purchasing (container/truckload purchases) and product placement of new items into the distribution network. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for learning categories as they become assigned and managing these assigned categories with oversight from the Senior Merchant and/or the Merchandising Manager. 

• Maintains an adequate inventory position to drive sales and to service customers. 
• Creates and maintains supplier replenishment purchase orders. 
• Manages daily logistics issues, including product supply, transportation issues, and delivery interruptions. Facilitates resolutions between stores and vendors where necessary. 
• Establishes and maintains item replenishment parameters and attributes within the Point-of-Sale system. 
• Reports on and manages supplier lead times in the Point-of-Sale system based on supply chain performance. 
• Manages the ordering and appropriate stock levels of items in promotions, ads, and special buys through communication with the Senior Merchant/Category Manager and Store Planning teams. 
• Works interdependently with other Merchants on new items for potential DC network to lower acquisition costs and maintain better availability, identifying seasonality of goods, inventory flow regarding promotional activity, and excess inventory. 
• Assists in keeping McCoy’s system information and vendor information synchronized. Submits appropriate documentation to Merchandise Services for assigned vendors/categories. 
• Works to Identify and act on unproductive inventory and excess weeks of supply in the stores. 
• Helps prepare, analyze, and present Program Financial Reviews and analyses for Stock and Special-Order Sales in assigned categories. Includes discussion and analyses of program performance, specifically Turnover, Gross Margin, and Sales. Also includes vendor performance analyses regarding lead time, error rates, quality, and customer service. Works to understand competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, and strategies.
• Helps prepare, analyze, and present Program Line Reviews for Stock and Special-Order Sales in assigned categories. Line Reviews include all areas of Program Financial Reviews and comparison of existing vendors to competitors in the category. Assists with preparation for and during negotiations during the Line Review. Helps develop and implement Marketing and Advertising programs to promote assigned product categories. Helps negotiate and collect co-op advertising funds to support marketing and advertising expenses. 
• Identifies, analyzes, and presents opportunities to enhance processes and/or improvements to management. 
• Attends and participates in team meetings, training sessions, and company-sponsored programs as required. 

• Supports store operations with negotiated programs within assigned categories. Solicits Regional and Store Manager input regarding assigned categories by listening to problems, complaints and
• Acts to resolve problems and build on successes.

• Meets periodically with existing vendors (or new vendors) to plan and review existing programs. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• An Associate degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups and customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to utilize strong multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization, and follow-up skills necessary for managing multiple projects at one time in a professional manner and under minimal supervision.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Word & Excel, IBM Content Manager, MAC21, and other 3rd party software applications at an intermediate level.
• Experience with BI Tools (Cognos Analytics, BI10+ or related tools)
• Prior experience in inventory control and/or supply chain management with knowledge and understanding of basic and intermediate purchasing principles.

WORK AVAILABILITY

• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined by management.
• Must be regularly available and willing to work at least 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week or such other hours per day or hours per week as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet business needs.
• Must be available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires occasional travel with overnight stays
• Must meet driver’s license requirements as required by the Company
• Must be able to legally obtain a rental vehicle in all states in which the company does business
• Must have current auto liability insurance

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.