Wet Seal Buyer (Foohill Ranch, CA)

SUMMARY:

As a Buyer you will maximize sales and profitability by managing one or more merchandise categories through the development and implementation of a strategy, analysis and appropriate reaction to sales trend.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Work with all aspects of the open-to-buy process and all aspects of the business that effects the gross margin

· Approve garment fit and ensure product execution meets the design aesthetic as well as commercially acceptable quality standards

· Develop and gain approval for department seasonal strategies and prioritize tasks to support division strategies and meet financial targets

· Partner with cross-functional team members to develop division key concepts, key items, promotional strategies and store assortments to ensure that our product is commercially viable and provides an exciting customer store experience

· Approve the ranking of all styles within the division based on historical and current product performance, as well as marketplace information

· Eliminate redundancies in the product assortment

· Build a well-balanced assortment for stores

· Position division investments to ensure that smart risks are being taken, basic businesses are protected and financial targets are met

· Gain approval for the division's seasonal investments and quarterly financial plans.

· Work in partnership with planning on building the seasonal plans

· Validate costing and placements strategies with production pricing strategies

· Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information

· Change future division strategies in-season where needed and provide appropriate and timely direction to the cross functional team in order to react quickly to customer and business trends

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

· Must have 5+ years of retail buying in the contemporary apparel industry with a proven track record

· Must possess strong product development skills, be able to identify trends and execute them into great commercial product

· Must possess strong analytical skills including understanding all aspects of retail math, the open-to-buy process and all aspects of the business that effects the gross margin

· Must understand the process of building a strong well-balanced assortment

· Must be able to travel domestically which will occur at least 6 times a year

· Must be able to be a strong team member in all aspects of the business including working with planning/allocation, product development and design teams

· Must have the ability to fit garments with a product development team and understand the components that go into making fashion right and saleable

· Must possess strong communication skills both verbal and written

· Must have great organizational skills and outstanding follow through

· Must be a strong negotiator and have the ability to negotiate for the best price possible

· Must be a self-motivator, self-starter and independent thinker.

· Must love the excitement of fashion and love the goal of being first to market with product

· Must enjoy being a fashion leader

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

· Requires working knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

· Must possess strong presentation, listening, written and verbal skills.

Posted by Kris Iringan