WHSmith North America
Join our
Support Center
and be a pivotal resource to our field and distribution teams —where innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and career growth come together in an exciting environment!
As the Buyer you will be responsible for procuring, developing, and managing effective merchandise assortments to achieve the sales, margin, and turnover targets for his/her respective buying areas. In partnership with their Direct Reports, and respective Planner, the Buyer will create the appropriate merchandise mix and develop category and supplier strategies based on local market trends, seasonality, and customer demographics.
Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico Schedule:
Monday – Friday, Weekends as needed ,
40 - 50 hours per week Pay:
$70,000 + bonus potential
Benefits Employee Discount Employer-Paid Life Insurance Flex Time Off Disability Insurance Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Paid Parental Leave 401(k) with company match
Job Responsibilities Develop and execute merchandise assortment strategies to meet or exceed the financial goals Product development as needed in accordance with the respective brands, departments, and concepts. Partner with Planner to manage and adhere to Open-to-Buy (OTB) budget. Work with vendors to resolve purchase order discrepancies and compliance issues. Analyze business at division, department, class, subclass, attribute, and store level. Create and maintain open lines of communication with Senior Buyer, Joint Venture partner, Planner, Store Managers, Regional Managers and other co-workers. Negotiate with vendors to secure the best terms for maximum margin results, including supplier income, and best pricing as well as markdown and/or RTV agreements. Prepare for and participate in regular Merchandising meetings such as Weekly Performance Meetings, Month End Review / OTB meetings, Collaboration meetings, New Store Review meetings, etc. Develop seasonal trend presentations and participate in seasonal workshops to educate the field organization (applicable by merchandise category). Visit our stores on a weekly basis (including visits on location as requested) to evaluate assortments, product presentations, stock levels, marketing, customers, and obtain feedback from store personnel. Visit competitors to evaluate pricing, assortments, and market trends for possible opportunities. Carry out tasks related to new stores, including research into new markets (including visits on location as requested), participating in Planogram meetings, developing new assortments for new concepts or stores, etc. Work closely with Planner to manage allocation, reorder flow, and product lifecycle including promos, markdowns, transfers and RTVs. Regularly attend local and industry tradeshows to source new vendors, meet with existing vendor partners, and identify emerging trends. Manage logistics of Native American purchases Work closely and build relationships with local vendors and artists to execute goal of stores Set up and maintenance of all SKUs and entering purchase orders for local vendors Set up items for Automatic Replenishment (AR) in Aptos (Merchandising System) Communicate with vendors regarding purchase orders, tickets and shipping discrepancies Ability to work independently and in team environment
Job Requirements 3+ years of experience in logo, private label, local jewelry and crafts, or fashion buying experience with a multi-unit retail organization. 1+ years of supervisory experience in field or retail home office. Product development and assortment planning experience required. Bachelor's degree preferred. Strong command of merchandising and retail math, including Open-to-Buy (OTB) management. Ability to adapt and problem solve in a fast-paced and changing environment. Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with a merchandising software platform. Must live in New Mexico Visit home office in Las Vegas, NV on a quarterly basis and other important business conferences or meetings. Proactive, strong attention to detail & accuracy, effective time management skills, multi-tasking, strong written and verbal communication skills.
About Us WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.
EEO/ADA/DFWP WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilitie
Support Center
and be a pivotal resource to our field and distribution teams —where innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and career growth come together in an exciting environment!
As the Buyer you will be responsible for procuring, developing, and managing effective merchandise assortments to achieve the sales, margin, and turnover targets for his/her respective buying areas. In partnership with their Direct Reports, and respective Planner, the Buyer will create the appropriate merchandise mix and develop category and supplier strategies based on local market trends, seasonality, and customer demographics.
Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico Schedule:
Monday – Friday, Weekends as needed ,
40 - 50 hours per week Pay:
$70,000 + bonus potential
Benefits Employee Discount Employer-Paid Life Insurance Flex Time Off Disability Insurance Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Paid Parental Leave 401(k) with company match
Job Responsibilities Develop and execute merchandise assortment strategies to meet or exceed the financial goals Product development as needed in accordance with the respective brands, departments, and concepts. Partner with Planner to manage and adhere to Open-to-Buy (OTB) budget. Work with vendors to resolve purchase order discrepancies and compliance issues. Analyze business at division, department, class, subclass, attribute, and store level. Create and maintain open lines of communication with Senior Buyer, Joint Venture partner, Planner, Store Managers, Regional Managers and other co-workers. Negotiate with vendors to secure the best terms for maximum margin results, including supplier income, and best pricing as well as markdown and/or RTV agreements. Prepare for and participate in regular Merchandising meetings such as Weekly Performance Meetings, Month End Review / OTB meetings, Collaboration meetings, New Store Review meetings, etc. Develop seasonal trend presentations and participate in seasonal workshops to educate the field organization (applicable by merchandise category). Visit our stores on a weekly basis (including visits on location as requested) to evaluate assortments, product presentations, stock levels, marketing, customers, and obtain feedback from store personnel. Visit competitors to evaluate pricing, assortments, and market trends for possible opportunities. Carry out tasks related to new stores, including research into new markets (including visits on location as requested), participating in Planogram meetings, developing new assortments for new concepts or stores, etc. Work closely with Planner to manage allocation, reorder flow, and product lifecycle including promos, markdowns, transfers and RTVs. Regularly attend local and industry tradeshows to source new vendors, meet with existing vendor partners, and identify emerging trends. Manage logistics of Native American purchases Work closely and build relationships with local vendors and artists to execute goal of stores Set up and maintenance of all SKUs and entering purchase orders for local vendors Set up items for Automatic Replenishment (AR) in Aptos (Merchandising System) Communicate with vendors regarding purchase orders, tickets and shipping discrepancies Ability to work independently and in team environment
Job Requirements 3+ years of experience in logo, private label, local jewelry and crafts, or fashion buying experience with a multi-unit retail organization. 1+ years of supervisory experience in field or retail home office. Product development and assortment planning experience required. Bachelor's degree preferred. Strong command of merchandising and retail math, including Open-to-Buy (OTB) management. Ability to adapt and problem solve in a fast-paced and changing environment. Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with a merchandising software platform. Must live in New Mexico Visit home office in Las Vegas, NV on a quarterly basis and other important business conferences or meetings. Proactive, strong attention to detail & accuracy, effective time management skills, multi-tasking, strong written and verbal communication skills.
About Us WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.
EEO/ADA/DFWP WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilitie