Retail Buyer - Merchandise Manager

Posted by Neptune Mountaineering on 01/15/2021

Job Basics

Industry Sector: Lifestyle, Outdoor, Snow

Job Categories: Management - Product -Brand, Merchandising, Operations, Purchasing, Retail - Sales

Company Type: Retailer

State: CO

City: Boulder

Country: United States

Required Experience: 1 - 3 years

Job Type: Full Time

Salary:

Required to Relocate: Yes

Required to Travel: No

Employee May Telecommute: No

Job Seeker Must Live Within:

Job Description & Requirements

 

Merchandise Manager

One of the finest mountain shops in the country, Neptune Mountaineering based in Boulder, CO, has an excellent opportunity available for a Merchandise Manager. For over 40 years, Neptune Mountaineering has been a trusted supplier of exceptional outdoor gear matched up with best advice for all levels of climbers, skiers and adventurers. Our staff is not only knowledgeable but also as passionate about the outdoors as our customers are.

The Merchandise Manager is critical to shaping the customer experience and satisfaction with our offerings. They develop and execute product assortment plans and ensures that our merchandising strategies will maximize sales, turns and profitability, while creating a compelling visual story for the brands we represent. The Merchandise Manager possesses a depth of knowledge of the products and evolving trends, coupled with intimacy and understanding of what the Neptune customer wants and needs. This role reports directly to the Sales Operations Manager.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Develops merchandise assortments that support the overall strategy of in-stock positioning for key product categories and ensures in-season product flow, while staying within the financial plans and meeting our customers’ expectations of quality and selection.

Accountable for category merchandise performance; continually monitors and analyzes product performance of a department, classification, vendor and style level and reacts appropriately to sales trends and sell-through.

Capitalizes on vendor sales programs, pre-season discounts and dating or other sales incentives offered by vendors.

Runs weekly, monthly and seasonal sales reports in order to react to business needs as they arise in a timely manner.

Monitors inventory and adjusts pre-season orders and places asap orders with vendors according to sales trends, sell-through metrics or other changes in the business.

Ensures timely delivery of orders placed; resolves fulfillment or shipping issues in a timely manner.

On a monthly or as-needed basis, communicates sales trends, reviews strategies and category performance with Sales Operations Manager.

In the assortment planning, takes into account fixture capacity and fixture needs and ensures product is well-merchandized when it arrives.

Responsible for initiating style level markdowns to ensure sell-through meets turns goals.

Works with vendors to obtain support for marketing strategies through co-op advertising programs or by other vendor partnership opportunities.

Works closely with store managers, sales staff, merchandisers and marketing to execute strategies that help drive sales. Follow through for the entire life cycle of the products and plan changes as needed.

Accurately input product data and purchase orders and maintain purchase order logs as adjustments are made throughout each season.

Proactively communicate on timing and arrival of products to managers and other Neptune team members.

Actively participates in line previews and attends trade shows as needed.

Support floor staff as needed including product knowledge training, merchandising support and helping with customer questions or sales floor support during busy periods.

Other duties as requested by manager.

The ideal candidate has the following attributes:

• Previous experience working as a buyer or merchandise manager in a retail organization.
• Strong awareness of outdoor market trends and brands; personal experience with outdoor/climbing/skiing gear is ideal.
• Solid knowledge of merchandising, retail marketing and sales principles.
• Proven experience with essential retail math, including working within an open-to-buy, inventory turns goals and analysis of margins.
• Persuasive negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to communicate effectively with reps and vendors as well as with store managers and floor personnel.
• Basic knowledge of floor layouts and plan-o-grams.
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills.
• Established method of prioritization and organization to manage workflow and deadlines.
• PC proficient. Experience in Retail Pro or similar POS/Inventory Management System preferred.

Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive. When eligible for benefits they include health insurance, PTO and paid holidays, 401K with match and a fun, relaxed and dog friendly work environment.

Please email cover letter and resume to jobs@neptunemountaineering.com

About Neptune Mountaineering

One of the most legendary mountain shops in the world, Neptune has been getting people geared up for climbing, skiing, camping & hiking for over 45 years. Offering an outstanding selection of the best outdoor gear brands and friendly, knowledgeable advice for all levels of climbers, skiers & adventurers.