Specialty Retail Buyer

The Paper Store is committed to being the premier destination for all of our customers’ gift-giving needs. Our mission is to share our passion for The Paper Store with each customer, during each visit, by going above and beyond their expectations for both selection and service.

The Specialty Retail Buyer is responsible for planning, purchasing, and monitoring pricing, merchandising, and marketing for assigned lines of business as required while maximizing sales and profits. They will take ownership of a category and are accountable for the department’s overall growth and profitability.

The Specialty Retail Buyer reports directly to the Vice President of Purchasing and Allocation.

COMPETENCIES:

• Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of corporate responsibility. Takes personal ownership and responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Ensures that actions are consistent with words.
• Communication: Communicates information with consistency and clarity; uses active listening to effectively understand and provide feedback. Adjusts communication style to suit the audience to promote engagement and increase understanding.
• Creativity and Initiative: Forward-thinking, recognizes opportunities and finds new ways of doing things and implements improvements whenever possible. Encourages creativity and innovation.
• Professionalism: Maintains a professional and positive manner even under changing or uncertain conditions. Works well with a wide range of individuals to provide support, encouragement and direction. Engages others to accomplish organizational and departmental goals. Is seen as a role model.
• Personal Development: Displays self-awareness, a high level of energy, persistence and a positive outlook. Continuously seeks ways to improve and learns from mistakes and constructive feedback.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be a brand ambassador for The Paper Store
• Continually seek out new opportunities for the company
• Develop a competitive merchandise assortment plan that is customer focused and monitor and adjust sales plan by staying abreast of fashion/industry trends and competition
• Secure and analyze quotations; negotiate prices and terms with vendors. Select vendors with respect to cost, quality, and delivery competitiveness for assigned responsibilities
• Ensure that product quality standards are met. Meet and exceed customer expectations through selection and pricing
• Analyze sales history for trends and item performance
• Run and analyze reports to create actionable recommendations
• Shop competition to compare products, pricing, merchandising, etc.
• Monitor and track quarterly goals and objectives
• Maintain budgeted profit margins and OTB for designated areas
• Monitor vendor performance for quality, price, and delivery to determine vendor base
• Integrate brand, sourcing, marketing and retail supply chain functions into the merchandising process to make advantageous business decisions
• Troubleshoot irregularities with vendors and manage negotiations on key issues that include availability of new product, distribution of merchandise, timely deliveries, RTVs, and vendor allowances
• Attend trade shows and conferences to research new industry trends and products
• Coordinate and manage promotional activities and events.
• Developing and building positive, long-term supplier relations.
• Responsible for procurement and purchasing activities on assigned projects/vendors.
• Define, develop, negotiate and contract solutions that meet business requirements and enhance profitability by controlling/reducing costs, improving payment terms, reducing inventory and optimizing supply chain efficiencies.
• Assist product developers in creating projects for new sourcing, sending and accepting cost quotes, and sample request process.
• Assist developers by researching retail price comps and retail line logic.
• Work closely with store merchandising teams and marketing teams to implement new and creative ways to feature product assortments at store and website levels.
• Manage & develop direct reports.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3-5 years’ experience as a retail buyer
• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong ability in Microsoft Excel and database applications; including building spreadsheets ad hoc
• MicroStrategy reporting ability a plus
• Extremely detail oriented and willing to analyze down to the lowest level
• Ability to work closely with a diverse group of people
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible with all assignments and retail trends
• Ability to work 3+ days/week at the Corporate Office in Acton, MA
• Professional presentation in attire, demeanor, and appearance

The Paper Store is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.