Buyer - Food and General Merchandise

Buyer - Food and General Merchandise

Buyer - Food and General Merchandise
Tracking Code
215649-983
Job Description

We are looking for a General Merhandise Buyerto join our team!  In addition, we are also in the need for a Food Buyer! You must specialize in either of these categories in order to be considered for the role (s).
TheBuyerswill be responsible to drive sales growth with exciting deals, new re-orderable items and brand name closeout merchandise while maintaining appropriate inventory turns and gross margin levels. 
Required Skills

* Demonstrate excellence and discipline throughout the buying process (negotiations, work ethic, standards of behavior).
* Drive departmental ownership and P&L mentality for product purchased without loosing the gut instinct.
* Become a key participant and core team member for implementation of the merchandising system.
* Drive store level merchandising for your categories (end-cap directives, register program, signage...)
* Minimize store level and Bargain Wholesale out of stocks while balancing DC level inventory (Manage re-orderable purchasing).
* Constantly drive optimal pricing / service level combination for your categories (buy direct, continue to negotiate, plan substitutes for price increases, always have and continue to find new sources, know your categories...).
* Develop relationships with and ensure we are 'Dug in' with all major manufacturers in your categories.
* Effectively buy for multiple regions (ex: Commerce and TX, + eventual new regions).
* Key decision maker for buying decisions.
* Participate in major trade shows.
* Identify and build relationships with new vendors to continue to deliver exciting merchandise at the right price in the right place at the right time (re-orderable).
* Become a category expert (shop new markets and competitors to source new ideas/products).
* Work with the import and product development departments to drive improved values, margins, improved packaging and other exciting products.
* Gain insight and develop strong understanding of our customer base for your categories in each relevant region.
* Identify and stay ahead of trends.
* Assess profitability and optimize mix of Branded and Private label products for your categories.
* Rationalize duplicate or nonproductive SKU's in your categories and replace with more productive SKU's.
* Build multiple profiles to improve merchandising and purchasing (ex. Holiday, summer, baking, spring cleaning, baseball / football season, superbowl...).
* Ensure your categories have key items and offer appropriate selection and value to the consumer.
* Assess and insure participation in critical subcategories.
* Identify and implement new sub-categories as appropriate (ex. Scrapbook)
* Understand commodity pricing and how they drive your brands. Have contingency plans for items that will enter inflationary cycles.
* Ability to be a change agent and not get easily frustrated with external and internal obstacles. Must have the attitude and aptitude to overcome.
* Ability to network and cultivate relationships.
* Understanding of regulatory requirements (Prop 65, FDA, USDA...).
* Data management / Analytical aptitude (profitability, SKU rationalization, OOS management, KPI's).
Required Experience

* Intuitive Merchandising Sense and Merchandising experience a must.
* Understanding category management and inventory management.
* Merchandising system experience.
* Experience with Closeouts or other Opportunity Buys.
* Experience in designing and going live with a CMS.
* Sales, imports and allocation experience.
* Category Management and Inventory Management experience.
* BA/BS Degree preferred. 
* 10+ years of Diverse Purchasing experience preferred.
* Leadership / Management / People skills and negotiating skills.
Job Location
Houston, TX, US.
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular