OVERVIEW
Sun & Ski Sports is a leading outdoor retailer specializing in equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories to enhance our customers' active lifestyles. The company operates 31 stores across 12 states and offers online sales at www.sunandski.com. Our core stores feature a broad selection of products for year-round outdoor lifestyle activities including ski, bike, board, run and swim. Our commitment to providing exceptional service, unparalleled expertise and the highest quality products is the cornerstone of our unique approach and our 100% Performance Guarantee.
SUMMARY
Our Buying department is currently searching for a Footwear Buyer. This Buyer is responsible for buying footwear with the day-to-day management and development of business to maximize sales and gross margin objectives, while managing inventory levels.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drive sales and profitability of assigned merchandise departments/categories within footwear department.
- Choose product assortments that best suit our targeted customers in various markets, using sales history and forecasting future trends.
- Active and ongoing negotiations with vendors on programs, pricing, and terms.
- Development and analysis of key financial data (sales, gross margin, inventory turns, etc.)
- Strategize anticipated product demands with future order placements, including replenishment orders, as well as maintaining markdown strategies to achieve product turn and margin rate.
- Set stocking levels for multiple store chain by using historical selling data.
- Maintain on-order purchase log, predicting what orders need to be modified or canceled.
- Work with the marketing team on promotions, new product drops, business driving tactics.
- Create a positive working relationship with store teams and ensure training and product knowledge is at the highest level.
- Entry, maintenance and tracking of purchase orders, including SKU information, UPC codes, product costs, retail price, and product sign requests.
- Note: Additional responsibilities may be assigned as business needs dictate.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
- 3+ years of Retail buying experience in purchasing hi-volumes of merchandise for a multi-store chain.
- Proven success achieving sales, gross margin and inventory turns.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with Vendors, Store teams, and Management.
- Forerunner for spotting trends with style consciousness for our industry.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Office (esp. advance level of Excel) and proven ability to create and maintain complex analysis reports in spreadsheets.
- Island Pacific software (AS400) experience a PLUS.
- Must have organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail.
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
- Passion for the outdoor lifestyle a plus.
**All prospective employees must submit to a criminal background check and drug screen.
Pay based on experience and interview process
Available to Full-Time Employees Only
* Benefits available to all employees.