Support Center - Irving

The Associate Buyer works with the Buyer in planning, purchasing, and communicating long-term and seasonal merchandising strategies, ensuring the availability of products that meet customer demands while maximizing profitability. This is done through the selection and development of product for assigned categories of the business while maximizing sales & profits and increasing market share. This role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for staying updated with market trends.

Major Activities

Assortment Planning

Selects and purchases product for assortment plans that meet financial sales and profit goals for their assigned categories of merchandiseIn partnership with Buyer, is responsible for the achievement of sales and profit plans for their assigned categoriesIn partnership with product development, design, and sourcing, supports the Buyer in guiding product development and executing the financial plan for your categoriesDevelops a balanced assortment of private brand and national brand assortmentAligns with cross-functional partners, to maximize sales and profit

Pricing, Presentation & Promotion

Maximizes merchandise presentation, develop planograms, and work cross-functionally through the implementation processIn partnership with Buyer, creates planograms using merchandising strategies, financial analysis, competitive analysis, trends, and space allocationsExecute advertising, pricing, and promotion strategies for a category of merchandise

Performance Analysis

Utilizes data analytics tools to analyze sales, inventory, and market trendsPrepares regular reports and presentations to provide insights and recommendations to the buying team regarding pricing, product assortment, and promotional strategiesDevelops and makes recommendations based on category history and market share analysisConducts brand and market share competitive analyses, develops insights, and recommends testsGenerates reports to analyze weekly and monthly category metrics

Inventory Management

Partners with inventory management to maximize return on inventory investment based on sales plans, category assortment, and trendsMonitors inventory levels, ensuring optimal stock levels to meet customer demands while minimizing carrying costs and stockouts

Market Research

Conducts market research to identify emerging trends, new product opportunities, and a competitive landscape to stay ahead in the market

Vendor Management

Establishes and maintains strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedulesLeverages vendor partnerships to develop the right product and be able to lead vendors based on consumer and market insights

Collaboration & Leadership

Works closely with cross-functional teams, including Planning, Inventory, Space, and Pricing, to ensure seamless execution of buying strategiesActs as a lead or first-level supervisor to Assistant Buyers, including coaching, training, and guiding on team deliverables

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
 

Minimum Education    

College degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Type of Experience the Job Requires  

4+ years of buying experience, exhibiting progressively responsible assignments with the merchandising organizationPlanning and inventory experience a mustStrong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in utilizing Excel or other data analysis tools to extract insights and make data-driven decisionsStrong collaboration skills to partner with cross-functional teamsFlexible, resilient, and comfortable working in an environment that is constantly changingStrong decision-making ability, communication, and negotiation skillsDetailed-oriented with excellent organizational skills

Preferred Education    

Business degree

Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.

At The Michaels Companies Inc, our purpose is to fuel the joy of creativity. As the leading creative destination in North America, we operate over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada and online at Michaels.com and Michaels.ca. The Michaels Companies, Inc. also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of custom and specialty framing merchandise, and MakerPlace by Michaels, a dedicated handmade goods marketplace. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the best place for all things creative. For more information, please visit www.michaels.com

At Michaels, we prioritize the wellbeing of our teams by providing robust benefits for both full-time and part-time Team Members. Our benefits include health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, tuition assistance, generous employee discounts, and much more. For more information, visit mikbenefits.com.

Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all Makers to create, innovate and be better together.

Michaels is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Michaels will assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-642-4235 (1800-MICHAEL).

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