Associate Buyer

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Job Summary: The HYBRID, Houston based Associate Buyer is responsible for assisting in category development for assigned product categories. This role builds strong cross functional and vendor relationships focusing on executing and improving category performance. The Associate Buyer interprets customer insights and utilizes the full breadth of OMNI channels to drive consumers through the purchase funnel. This position collaborates with our vendor partners and cross-functionally within the organization to launch, maintain and sustain exceptional sell through of products. This role effectively identifies new business opportunities while maximizing existing assortment. This hybrid role will report to the BedQuarters location in Houston 3 days and may work remotely the other 2 days each week.  

Essential Responsibilities 

• Responsible for the omnichannel mattress business – curating an assortment that compliments brick and mortar and meets customer demand landscape - manage vendors, ensure competitive pricing, partner with POD to execute. 

• Assist departmental leadership in vendor/supplier partnerships, tactical ways of working, managing vendor onboarding, and day-to-day relationships. 

• Support Buyer in compiling and upkeeping Go-To-Market, Pricing and End-of-Life plans for products. 

• Organize and maintain Category share drive folders. 

• Manage agenda and capture all notes and action items for Category meetings and lead day-to-day follow ups with Vendors, XF partners, POD members. 

• Lead vendor compliance within Supply Chain ensuring system and vendors are reporting correctly. 

• Support Buyer in developing RFPs and tracking and assessing proposals and samples. 

• Manage all parts of field concept testing including support, implementation and measurement. 

• Monitor the representation of category products on our website and within digital tools and champion optimization in collaboration with our Digital team, engaging vendors when needed. 

• Support Category Buyer on development and measurement of product/category promotions and pricing in collaboration with vendor partners and internal promo and pricing teams; ensure timely requests to master data and internal communications for implementation; lead workstream for online-only products. 

• Gather weekly reporting from internal partners and monitor against KPIs, dig deeper into trends/anomalies. 

• Monitor and report on industry trends and competitive landscape and collaborate with Buyer to identify key opportunities for product development. 

• Support all aspects of new product onboarding with master data, product lifecycle management, digital, marketing, and field communications. 

• Complete all required training modules and certifications prior to the due date. 

• Ensure all safety policies and procedures are followed to ensure a safe work environment for all. 

• Communicate professionally with all internal and external contacts. 

• Follow all Company policies and execute Company standards on appearance and functionality as well as appropriate brand representation. 

• Communicate any concerns or issues to leadership to ensure proper efficiency of department and company operations. 

Non-Essential Responsibilities 

• Execute Company initiatives and other activities requested by Supervisor 

• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities. 

• Contribute ideas on ways to optimize or improve the team, the department, and the Company. 

Education 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising or related field, or equivalent experience preferred 

Professional Experience 

• 1+ Years Merchandising experience required 

• Proven experience in project management required 

• Experience working with and/or giving direction to vendor partners & internal cross functional partners required 

• Experience in data analysis reporting out on key KPIs required 

    

Skills List 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and well-developed verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to build cross functional teams. Shows appropriate support to other team members to help them get the job done. 

• Skilled in collaborating with others to identify problems, provide advice and develop agreeable solutions. 

• Capable of compiling, organizing and using data to enhance planning and effectiveness. 

• Demonstrates the ability to direct and influence others and anticipates problems before impact. 

• Capacity to distribute the workload appropriately in a well-planned and organized manner. 

• Intuitive and able to act upon insights and perceptions. 

• Ability to interpret data, formulate strategies and execute initiatives. 

• Able to manage multiple initiatives and changing priorities effectively. 

• Takes initiative to plan and complete assigned work with a high level of accuracy. 

• Capable of managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines. 

• Creative skills and ability to execute ideas across all brand platforms. 

Knowledge 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office : Excel (V-Look Up, Pivot Tables, Index Match), PowerPoint, Word, Outlook 

Physical Demands & Office Environment 

• Sitting for up to 8+ hours 

• Standing occasionally 

• Walking occasionally 

• Talking frequently 

• Hearing Frequently 

• Usage of hands and fingers 

• Reaching with hands and arms