Retail Buyer

**Position Summary**

In collaboration with the Retail Operations Manager, the Retail Buyer is responsible for planning, selecting, purchasing and displaying athletic and fashion items that are sold in Granite Gear. The Retail Buyer manages product selection to maximize sales and operating surplus in support of the financial goals of Granite Gear. In addition to developing and maintaining ongoing relationships with selected vendors, the Retail Buyer stays abreast of current and future market trends. The Retail Buyer is also responsible for procuring and managing internal department orders in regard to uniforms, giveaways, or any other projects involving the Granite Club or Team Granite logo being used on merchandise.

**Benefits of working for the Granite Club**
- Healthy and delicious daily food offerings in our Staff Caf.
- Extensive medical and dental benefits for Employees and their families.
- Indoor parking for Employees Exciting and diverse.
- Employee events for both Staff and their friends and family.
- Discounted Goodlife Fitness memberships.
- An Employee Wellness Program focused on both physical and mental health.

**Primary Responsibilities**
- Purchasing_
- Liaise with existing suppliers
- Place orders with suppliers ensuring inventory levels meet budgeted plan
- Source and build relations with new suppliers
- Source and select new products through catalogs, vendor meetings and trade shows
- Monitor market changes, competitor prices and products
- Analyze past sales patterns to anticipate trends in Member buying patterns
- Liaise with Members and Staff to measure Member reaction to product
- Recommend clearance sales timelines in accordance to the products’ expected lifecycle and vary delivery schedules to help control inventory levels
- Negotiating costless merchandise programs to provide as uniform pieces to staff
- Mentorship for junior buyers/staff with buying responsibilities
- Partnership selection process to select partners with maximum profit margin
- Increase profit margin through early booking discounts, closeout opportunities and volume discounts
- Visual Merchandising_
- Plan store layouts to promote key lines in collaboration with the visual merchandiser
- Collaborate and provide the proper information needed to the Visual Merchandiser to maximize sales and react to product trends and inventory levels by remerchandising and floor refreshes
- Monthly removes and installs window displays and push displays based on the timeline approved by the Retail Manager
- Collaborates with the Store team during Sales Events to efficiently execute sale set up and maintain visual standards during off price events
- Works with the Retail Manager and Visual Merchandiser to develop and install environmental displays and Member communication to meet visual standards
- Constantly reviews and communicates best-in-class merchandising concepts and tactics from both industry and non-industry retailers
- Works with the Retail Manager to develop an annual marketing/promotion plan for sales. Acts as liaison with Communications and MarCom to roll out promotions. Work with the Retail Manager on the promotion of the Granite Gear operation including Granite News submissions, contributions to the website, and internal opportunities for marketing and promotion
- Vendor activations (Trunk shows/pop-ups) to highlight assortments in an non-commercialized manner
- Personal shopping for members with either in store or more specifically items not carried at store but available to purchase through our accounts and vendor relationships
- Provide sales support as required
- Other duties as assigned
- PK and Interdepartmental Planning & Marketing_
- Creating simple to follow in house PK sessions and documents to distribute to the team on new and existing products
- Identifying vendors with maximum discount and high product quality for internal orders
- Curating giveaway ideas for internal departments to reduce planning, maximize budget and help other departments provide thoughtful merchandise
- Working closely with other department managers as well as directly with committee members to help organize event merchandise
- Branding & Standards_
- Liaising with the communications department and Retail Manager to introduce and maintain brand and decoration standards for all Granite Team apparel

**Required Qualifications**
- Minimum 7-10 years of direct experience in purchasing/procurement in multiple retail categories
- Must be a self-starter, accountable, highly organized, flexible, a problem solver, have strong interpersonal and writing skills, and be a team player.
- Accuracy and attention to detail is critical
- Strong multi-tasking skills
- College/University Degree in related fields is an asset.
- Strong Negotiation skills
- Excellent Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suit and Google Workspace
- Proven track record of cost savings and process improvement initiatives
- Experience