Associate Buyer, Outdoor & Upholstery - Marketplace, Pottery Barn

This role is onsite in San Francisco, 4x a week.About the TeamYou will be part of a collaborative team responsible for creating assortment strategies based on analyzing sales and trends. Our job blends creativity, analytics, and marketing. As the Associate Buyer, you will work closely with a very passionate and collaborative group of team members that are excited about Merchandising!Overview of the roleThe Associate Buyer will develop business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, sales, and profits for the department. You will be responsible for coordinating information across functions working closely with Design, Inventory Management, Sourcing, Production, Packaging, and Visual to ensure the process is followed and timelines are met. You will have the opportunity to attend and participate in design meetings while identifying opportunities and recommending new products or concepts for the department.ResponsibilitiesPerform market analysis, competitive shop, and analyze sales trends to keep abreast of current trends. Obtain feedback from stores to improve products and add to collectionsIdentify emerging trends and develop business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, new opportunities, and threats. Communicate annual and seasonal strategies to functional areas (Inventory, Design, Sourcing, Production, Packaging, Visual)Develop and recommend seasonal and core product mix for the department or areaCollaborate with Inventory Management to develop annual and seasonal financial plansCollaborate with Inventory Management to provide Sourcing and Production Management with purchase quantities, delivery dates, flow, and exit strategies for initial cost and production negotiations for new programsProvide Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, target retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (big bets), flow to DC, and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plansFor the assigned area, approve final: Product collections from Design's recommendations, Order quantities from Inventory Management's recommendations, Costing and delivery dates from Sourcing and Production, Changes that affect production deadlines and plan objectives, Floor plan layouts from Visual, and Signage and in-store collateralCollaborate with Inventory Management and recommend adjustments (markdowns, delivery changes, and quantity changes) to the plan to maximize sales, profits, budget (OTB), and to protect the brand. Determine contests and provide awardsCorrespond with functional areas. Resolve, handle, and escalate difficult issues to Director/Buyer, Call Center, and StoresCommunicate pre-ticketing instructions to Sourcing and Production. Provide Inventory Management with pre-ticketing pricesDevelop the seasonal assortment plans (line lists) to define product requirements for DesignWork with Inventory Management to provide Sourcing and Production Management with purchase quantities, delivery dates, flow, and exit strategies for initial cost and production negotiations for new programsProvide Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, target retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (big bets), and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plans. Update the document and ensure accuracyVisit stores and contact field management to gather information on customer feedback and product issuesAnalyze the domestic market and provide observations of the market to Buyer for market analysesIdentify and recommend new products or business opportunitiesParticipate in the development of the annual and seasonal financial plansAssist Director/Buyer and Inventory Management with determining appropriate adjustments (markdowns, delivery charges, and quantity changes) to the plan to maximize sales, profits, budget (OTB), and to protect the brand. Recommend contest ideas and coordinate awards and in-store collateralHandle escalated customer service issuesProvide SKU information to Merchandising Operations for inputCriteriaBA/BS in a similar or related field3+ years in MerchandisingAdvanced retail math skillsAdvanced MS Excel skills; required to create pivot tables, advanced formulas, and functions such as VLOOKUPS

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