This job has expired, please see additional jobs below
Associate, Buyer
Holt Renfrew
Ontario Toronto, , Canada
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
At Holt Renfrew our mission is to present exceptional experiences together with the finest luxury products for life’s every day and extraordinary moments. Every Holt Renfrew employee enables this mission and defines the luxury lifestyle shopping experience through building lasting relationships with our people, customers and partners.
To define the luxury lifestyle shopping experience through building lasting relationships with our people, customers and partners, the the Associate Buyer drive the timely sourcing of best available products, drive efficiencies to achieve and exceed sales and margin goals under the guidance of seasoned colleagues.
Specific responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:
• Develop financial plans in partnership with Buyer and planner
• Achieve planned sales and margin goals and drive all aspects of merchandising
• Support Buyer in preparing and presenting monthly forecast recaps on the business, buy recaps post market and adhoc assessments on performance by brand or by department or commodity level
• Plan and align the ‘buy’ strategy to optimize local store needs/demands. Responsible for managing purchase orders according to plan and forecast and liaising with stores to ensure demands captured
• Select reliable and quality vendors to source the best available products at the best possible terms.
• Continuously evaluate vendors and procedures within Buying office and provide/action recommendations for more effective business practices.
• Attend market shows as required to select and assemble collections and product assortments based on analysis of customer buying patterns, assessment of competitors, and predictions of future trends. Select the range, type, quantity, colour, size, price, etc. and negotiate competitive bids to purchase within budgets and to drive profit.
• Ensure timely delivery of merchandise, initiate cancellations or negotiate discounts on late deliveries as appropriate.
• In partnership with Buyer and Planning, manage open-to-buy to maximize business opportunities and inventory control; make timely profitability decisions, review existing inventory performance indicators and react quickly to change in demand, logistics and trends.
• Drive communication and relationships with store partners; proactively seek customer feedback through store partners on responds to choices made and to market needs.
• Ensure product information and PK sessions are available to store teams.
• Enable strong working relationships with internal partners (ie. Planning, Marketing, Visual, Merchandising, Stores, etc.) to collaboratively maintain integrity of the brand and buying strategy.
• Implement specific marketing plans for each department, based on advertising results and discussion with Marketing department and vendors, to maximize brand exposure and increase sales and profitability; participate in promotional activities. Ensure advertised merchandise is adequately quantified and delivered in-store sufficiently in advance of ad.
The ideal candidate:
• Undergraduate degree, preferably in Business or Retail Management, or equivalent experience
• Completion of rotational development placement, with a minimum of 1 month in each of stores and marketing plus 3 months in planning, or 2 years proven associate buying &/or planning experience, preferably in luxury retail
• Ability to clearly articulate and demonstrate how to evaluate a merchandise assortment.
• Sound knowledge of planning and purchasing principles and practices, particularly Retail Math
• Strong customer insights capabilities and customer-centric approach to business
• Highly collaborative and hands on approach to managing portfolio; make strategic recommendations to continuously assess portfolio performance and raise the bar
• Strong communication and presentation skills; ability to speak to portfolio performance at regular review meetings
• Proven ability to handle strategic negotiations and build strong working relationships with internal and external partners
• Demonstrated proficiency with merchant systems
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally
All candidates for positions at Holt Renfrew are expected to:
• Inspire with Service
• Lead with Passion
• Own it with Pride
• Earn lasting Relationships
The measures of success:
• Company Sales to plan
• Company EBIT to plan
• Achievement of gross margin dollar goals
• Achievement of full price sell-thru goals
• Leadership behaviours
• Individual objectives linked to the achievement of department goals
• Feedback from internal and external clients