Associate Buyer- Women's Designer Shoes and Handbags

Salary Range $62,400 - $80,200*

Job Description:

Who We Are:

Saks is a world-renowned luxury ecommerce destination. The company’s unique approach combines a focus on the digital customer experience with a strong connection to a network of extraordinary stores that extends that seamless experience into the real world.

On its website and app, Saks offers an unparalleled selection of curated merchandise  across fashion for women and men, beauty, jewelry, home décor and more. In addition to the shopping experience, customers come to Saks for inspiring editorial content, access to digital stylists, lifestyle experiences and other world-class services. The company is currently in the midst of a dramatic expansion, driven by significant enhancements to its platforms and offerings, with the goal of becoming the preeminent destination for luxury internationally.

Role Summary:

The Associate Buyer is a motivated individual that will participate in vendor selections, and partnerships. The Associate Buyer will assist in providing information for the monitoring of inventory productivity, and the analysis of vendor profitability while providing data and analysis for price changes, and assists in entering prices changes online.

Role Description:  

Core Merchandising Responsibilities:

• Leads the full market cycle; attending market appointments independently, writes bulk orders and does ad hoc allocation, leads order reviews directly with DMM

• Oversees checkbook management in support of portfolio management

• Support in building a brand strategy for multi-channel growth, presenting strategies to senior management

• Provides analysis to support the merchandising strategy and assists in product selection and order writing

• Recommend pricing strategy based on promotion cadence and negotiate promotionally strategy with vendors based on business needs

• Independently manage a portfolio of brands or has experienced ownership of a category and/or area of the business with buyer consultation

• Ownership of negotiating in season management including dropship, re-orders, swaps, promotions and reviewing and executing markdowns and RTV's

• Project, recap, and manage receipts and communicate to vendors for brand complex to ensure sales plan and inventory targets are met

• Builds and maintains ship sheets for monthly forecast

• Identifies opportunities on weekly reports based on business/inventory trend, class and price point analysis.

• Establishes assortment strategy to achieve financial goals of the brand based on digital and store KPI’s

• Assists in managing the timely placement and maintenance of purchase orders

• Monitors industry trends and evaluates competition

• Able to attend vendor meetings when Buyer is unavailable

Financial Planning and Markdowns:

• Manages negotiations with internal and external partners

• Participates in the review of departmental topside financial plans

• Owns and communicates business opportunities and liabilities during OTB

• Supports the markdown projection process and provides information for internal projection and vendor negotiation (RTVs and swaps)

People Partnerships and Development:

• Develops and maintains strong cross-functional relationships

• Direct point of contact for vendor communication & business updates (on order updates, pricing, marketing, receipt flow, etc.)

• Work cross functionally with Category Growth Pod counterparts/and marketing teams by reviewing assortment strategy, assisting in product pitches for marketing materials

• Partners with Store Planning on allocation and QR orders

• Partners with Bangalore team on RTVs and Pricing

• Participate in mentorship program/act as guide on ECDP presentation

Key Qualifications:

• Manage ambiguity well, self starter, and is able to thrive in a fast paced environment

• Strong ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, with executive presence to lead meetings

• You often go above and beyond your goals. You are a consistent performer with a proven track record in driving positive outcomes through objectives and measures within a large complex organization.

• Strong interpersonal skills who can gain ground without damaging relationships. Can be both direct but diplomatic and gain trust from others quickly.

• Generates a variety of approaches to problem solving quickly including new and novel ideas.

• Takes initiative and is open to new ways of working in our evolving business

• Strong knowledge of and ability to apply retail math concepts, including elements of markup, margin planning, open to buy, and inventory productivity measures (WOS, T/O, GMROI).

• Excellent computer skills including MS Word and Excel, Powerpoint, Google Sheets/Docs/Slides

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience

Your Life and Career at Saks:

• Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities

• A culture that promotes a healthy, fulfilling work/life balance

• Benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision and dental).

• An amazing employee discount

Thank you for your interest in Saks. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Saks provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Saks complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Saks welcomes all applicants for this position. Should you be individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.

Saks.com is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

*The above expected salary range may have some variability based upon factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s overall experience, qualifications, and geographic location. If you are interested in the role, we encourage you to apply and, if selected to move forward in the interview process, you will have a chance to speak with our recruitment team regarding your specific salary expectations.