What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Buyer, Full-Time position at Star Furniture?
Associate Buyer
Star Furniture is seeking a highly motivated Associate Buyer to join our Merchandising team. They will manage the performance of their assigned categories, driving sales, margin and turn improvements while curating a best-in-class assortment and customer experience.
The ideal candidate is a trusted, collaborative, results-oriented leader, recognized for their ability to drive change. Adaptability to navigate complexity is crucial, requiring prompt assessment, analysis, and adjustment of approaches to align with current strategy. The preferred candidate has a visionary perspective, capable of conceptualizing, developing, and executing a strategic vision.
Reports To: VP of Merchandising
Position Responsibilities:
- Drive incremental sales and margin growth.
- Develop products to achieve the desired assortment architecture.
- Stay informed about industry/market trends, consumer preferences, new product innovations and the competitive landscape.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers.
- Consistently analyze and understand business metrics to make informed strategic decisions.
- Manage categories through an open to buy plan, forecasting/planning to optimize financial results.
- Consistently replenish stock to achieve in-stock and fill rate goals.
- Evaluate the performance of each vendor, strategically managing them to optimize partnerships and results.
- Actively collaborate with internal teams and vendors to ensure timely delivery of in-stock and special orders for customers.
- Collaborate with store managers and visual merchandisers to ensure new and existing stores have updated merchandise, pricing, sales tools, and product information.
- Ensure that purchased items meet quality standards and specifications, conduct inspections and quality checks with Quality Assurance team on received products and addressing any issues promptly.
- Visit Star stores and collaborate with the store team to ensure showrooms meet company standards, provide feedback, and recognize areas for improvement.
- Create and nurture an environment of collaboration and partnership with internal and external partners.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field (preferred).
- Minimum of 2 year in a retail buying environment
- Must be able to travel to Markets.
- Must be process-oriented with the ability to think both strategically and tactically.
- Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
- Strong level of resilience and demonstrated ability to adapt and flex.
- Strong analytical skills: Ability to analyze data and provide clear reporting and feedback.
- Ability to timely respond to deadlines, balance workload, and take initiative.
- Must have solid organizational skills including prioritizing, scheduling, time management, and meeting deadlines.
- Must have solid communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Must be a team player as this is a very collaborative position.
- Strong work ethic.
- High degree of professionalism.
Supervisory Responsibility: No
Work Environment:
This position operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, tablets, and other office equipment.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear and sit for long periods of time. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
Position Type / Expected Hours of Work:
This is position and hours of work would routinely be 40 hours per week. Given the nature of the position, there will be occasions when extra hours and travel may be required.
What Star Offers:
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive benefits program, including health care options (medical, telemedicine, dental and vision)
- 401(k)
- Generous Employee Discount
- Paid Time Off
- Voluntarily Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Life Insurance
(waiting periods may apply to the above)
Job Location: 16666 Barker Springs Road, Houston, TX 77084
Equal Opportunity Employer
