Job Description

The Buyer leads procurement efforts for key product categories, focusing on assortment strategies, vendor management, team supervision, and driving profitable product assortments. This role requires strategic thinking, market awareness, and the ability to mentor junior team members to achieve operational and financial goals. They will report to the Senior Buyer. This is an in-office position based in West Covina, CA.

Essential Job Functions

• Drive Assortment Strategy: Develop and execute buying strategies to curate trend-driven product assortments that align with customer preferences and product / IP trends, while achieving optimal SKU count and balancing newness vs. evergreen skus.
• Develop and manage vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, pricing, delivery terms, and new product introductions.
• Engage with suppliers to balance cost, quality, delivery execution, and stability of supply.
• Conduct procurement reviews and sample acquisition with suppliers.
• Monitor inventory fluctuations, pinpointing and addressing issues promptly.
• Partner with the Senior Buyer to streamline buying operations and execution.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior team members.
• Formulate and implement merchandise budgets and action plans. Own specific product categories, ensuring complete and efficient procurement execution.
• Oversee key performance indicators for the assigned categories. Keep track of out of stocks, slow sellers, product lifespan, and suggesting and implementing optimization techniques where necessary.
• Monitor sales projections, order processing, deliveries, and financial transactions.
• Facilitate the integration of marketing plans and display materials for stores.
• Generate detailed reports on product performance, both weekly and monthly.
• Skillfully use and navigate internal systems like OA, SAP, and other related software applications.
• Collaborate with internal teams including HQ, warehousing, operations, logistics, finance, and marketing to ensure smooth product integration, expense controls, product launches, and promotional rollouts.
• Address and resolve any complexities arising from procurement orders, ensuring prompt confirmations and proactive problem-solving.
• Undertake any other related tasks or projects as they arise.

Additional Qualifications

• Proven experience in the retail sector, with a significant advantage for those having extensive experience and resources in trend focused retail.
• Advanced proficiency in MS office applications for analytical tasks and reporting. Familiarity with OA/SAP platforms is extremely beneficial.
• Demonstrated capability in efficiently addressing and resolving challenges.
• Experienced and knowledgeable in purchasing practices and supply chain management
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently without compromising quality.
• Excellent communication skills for both internal discussions and external negotiations.
• Proven track record of collaborating cross-functionally with diverse teams across different locations and time zones.
• Keen attention to detail and a commitment to high work standards.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, maintaining composure under pressure, and quickly respond to market or strategic changes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data insightfully.
• A team player with an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong passion for the industry.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team with direct reports.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally for business needs, including domestic and international trips for client visits, industry conferences, etc.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, preferably with a specialization in Supply Chain Management.
• Additionally, a minimum of 5 years or more substantial work experience in a buying capacity.

Pay Range

USD $75,000.00 - USD $83,000.00 /Yr.