Retail Buyer I

The Retail Buyer I position plays a vital role in supporting the procurement and inventory management for designated product categories. This role focuses on foundational buying responsibilities, including utilizing Open to Buy (OTB) tools, maintaining inventory levels, and collaborating with vendors to meet sales and budgetary objectives. The Retail Buyer I is also responsible for analyzing sales data to inform purchasing decisions and ensuring proper stock replenishment to drive sales and operational efficiency. Additionally, as a Key Holder, this role involves acting as Manager on Duty (MOD), overseeing daily operations, and managing opening and closing procedures to ensure smooth and secure store operations

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Strategic Buying and Procurement

• Own the Buying Process: Oversee the end-to-end buying cycle, including planning, sourcing, purchasing, and vendor management for assigned product categories.
• Open to Buy Management: Take full responsibility for utilizing OTB tools to set, monitor, and adjust budgets, ensuring purchasing aligns with financial goals and inventory turnover targets.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage sales data, market trends, historical performance, and customer insights to identify purchasing opportunities and refine product assortments.
• Product Assortment and Trends: Stay ahead of industry trends to curate a product mix that meets customer needs, drives sales, and strengthens the store's competitive position.
• Vendor Relations: Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing, payment terms, and delivery timelines. Regularly evaluate vendor performance and source new suppliers as needed.
• Purchase Order Management: Create, monitor, and track purchase orders to ensure accuracy and on-time delivery, proactively resolving any issues with vendors.

Inventory Control and Analysis

• Monitor stock levels regularly, analyzing performance against sales forecasts and OTB plans to minimize overstock or stockouts.
• Perform inventory audits and reconcile discrepancies, ensuring data accuracy within inventory management systems.
• Track key metrics such as sell-through rates, inventory turnover, and gross margin return on investment (GMROI) to inform future purchasing decisions.
• Develop strategies to manage seasonal inventory transitions and end-of-life products efficiently.

Key Holder Responsibilities

• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) during assigned shifts, overseeing daily operations and ensuring smooth execution of sales and service goals.
• Manage opening and closing duties, including cash handling, securing the store, and completing daily operational reports.
• Provide team leadership, resolving escalated customer issues, and supporting associates during shifts to meet organizational standards.

Customer Service and Team Leadership

• Provide exceptional customer service for assigned product categories, offering expertise and resolving escalated inquiries.
• Support and train team members on inventory processes, merchandising strategies, and product knowledge to enhance performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Deep understanding of purchasing strategies, vendor negotiations, and retail trends.
• Proficiency in Open to Buy (OTB).
• Demonstrated ability to forecast, plan, and dynamically adjust budgets based on data.
• Strong skills in analyzing sales data, inventory metrics, and market trends to inform purchasing decisions.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective vendor partnerships and negotiate advantageous terms.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required.
• 1 year of relevant work experience is required.

• Bachelor's degree in business, retail management, or related field, or equivalent experience & 1 year of retail buying, merchandising, or inventory management experience.