In support of the Senior Buyer's strategic vision for the division, translates the category strategy and direction into finanical goals including Sales, Margin, Receipt, Inventory and Turnover that reconcile with top down budgets by department/sub-department. Maintains in-season Sales, Margin, Receipt, Inventory and Turnover that reconcile to finacial targets at a department/sub-department level. Brings analytical support and finacial focus to help make decisions and develop strategies that will deliver and maximize Sales, Margin, Turnover and Inventory Management Return on Investment (IMROI) goals. 

Creates purchase orders and manages the replenishment and allocation of products to retail locations across the IPP enterprise. produces various reports to drive sales and margin opportunites and minimize risks. To be successful in this role, a candidate must have exceptional financial & organizational skills, demonstrate a high level business acumen and showcase a passion for data and analytics.

Essential Job Functions

Responsibilities

The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Builds category level inventory, sales, gross margin and turnover plans at the department/sub-department level by week ensuring that the strategy aligns with overall strategic direction of the Category Manager for the division ensuring financial success.
• Manages the PO creation and execution process directly to/with suppliers and distributers while operating within the confines of the open to buy.
• Manages and maintains SKU min’s/max’s by SKU/store to ensure optimal in-stocks in all stores at all times.
• Ensures promotional buys are placed in advance of planned promotional activity to ensure in-stock throughout the duration of the promotional period
• Partners extensively with the Category Management team on the integration of plans around key initiatives that cross divisions such as promotions and events to ensure programs tie together seamlessly.
• Discerns insights based on understanding relevant market trends, key business performance metrics and operational feedback to develop right fit assortments for all IPP locations.
• Develops revenue and profit plans that will inform annual/quarterly line review/category reset cadence to showcase financial plans/product strategy to executive leadership and operations retail leaders.
• In conjunction with the Category Management team, develops a comprehensive supplier strategy inclusive of rationalization, negotiation, communication, tracking, social and product compliance, etc.
• Partners in developing key retail reporting targeted at deeper insights into what is and isn't driving the retail business and adjusting course as warranted in real time.
• Directly accountable for maintaining instock levels to goal by driving stock keeping unit (sku) level replenishment and allocation strategies.
• Manages sku/location baseline and promotional lift sales forecast.
• Proactively manages inventory replenishment and allocation strategies to support promotional, financial, assortment/transition, and other business goals.
• Interacts professionally and effectively through excellent written and oral communication skills to all levels of the organization; demonstrate communication and presentation skills
• Gathers data, analyze information, develop strategic conclusions, and communicate recommendations clearly and effectively with Merchandise partners.
• Effectively prioritizes multiple workflows and projects; to be flexible and work under tight deadlines.
• Develops and cultivates effective and proactive relationships with merchant and other merchandise partners to ensure proper support for the business. Communicate needs to achieve all business objectives.
• Demonstrates initiative; to be able to work independently and in cross functional teams
• Identify and leverage best practices and systems usage in order to work efficiently and effectively.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Knowledge of logistics, supply chain management, and transportation
• Financial planning
• Forecasting
• Supply Chain Management software (SCMS) tools used in executing supply chain transactions, managing supplier relationships, and controlling associated business processes
• Detail-oriented
• Organized
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Strong supervisory and leadership
• Analytical and problem-solving

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, economics, business, statistics or related. 3 years’ experience of retail planning, inventory management, financial planning or financial analysis may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong aptitude for retail math and analysis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment with a strong sense of urgency.
• Incumbent must have the ability to communicate and influence decisions to profitably drive the business.
• Must have a strong understanding of retail Profit &Loss (P&L), have good communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to advance to high levels of computer literacy; exposure to relevant planning, finance, analytical, data management systems.
• Identifies/influences critical stakeholders; proactively problem solves and recommends solutions.
• Optimization Mindset – designs and develops models/plans to optimize decisions.
• Build collaborative partnerships cross-functionally; identifies/influences critical stakeholders.
• Understands and executes against business strategy and goals.
• Makes decisions with limited information but also capable to synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to work around pet hair and dander.

Nature of Supervision

• The position has no direct reports.

Work Environment

• Operates in a standard office environment.
• Hybrid schedule with 2 days in office. 
• The majority of job duties are performed while seated indoors with little or no exposure to hazards.

Full-time team members enjoy the following:

Programs and benefit eligibility will vary based on average hours worked and length of service.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)/ Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – medical and dependent care
• $25K life insurance policy (employer paid)
• Short and Long-term disability (employer paid)
• Greatly discounted, employer-subsidized pet insurance
• PTO (paid time off) – 2 weeks in first year, 3 weeks in second year
• Paid Parental Leave and Paw-Ternity (paid Pet Adoption bonding time)
• 401(k) Program
• Employee Assistance Program/ 24X7 – completely confidential
• Generous discounts on goods and services
• Store Bonus Incentive Program
• Growth opportunities!

$52,000-$65,000 Annually DOE/DOQ

Subject to change depending on State/City/County minimums.

IPP is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or team member based on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions)  gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, age (40 or over), or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

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Salary : $52,000 - $65,000