THE NORTH FACE: ASSISTANT RETAIL BUYER (ALAMEDA, CA)

Description

 At The North Face, we push the boundaries of innovation with our product design and development of premier apparel, equipment and footwear to enable and inspire athletes and enthusiasts to Never Stop Exploring. We remain deeply proud to be the first choice of the world's most accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders, endurance runners, and explorers. If you have a passion for the outdoors and enjoy a fast-paced environment, this is the place for you!

As a member of the Retail Team, the Assistant Retail Buyer will be assisting the Retail Buyer in planning, purchasing, communicating, and controlling merchandising and marketing for the assigned area in support of the Company positioning statements and consumer-focused branding strategy to maximize sales and profits and increasing market share for the retail stores.

Qualifications

 Education/Experience:
Years of Related Professional Experience: 1-3.
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Retail Administration, Merchandising, Business, or other related field and/or related experience preferred.

Skills:
Merchandising skills preferred
Trend Analysis and problem solving skills are required
Strong team building skills
Strong organization skills
Ability to work in a fast paced environment
Strong time management skills with a sense of urgency

Key Responsibilities 1. Maintains and monitors purchase orders including item set up and keying in addition to daily contact with the distribution center to determine current receipts, rush delivery to stores, resolve any problem receipts, arranging for timely delivery returns to original source in cases of incorrect receipts.
2. Track sales; analyze reports, discusses information with the buyer in timely fashion and makes basic re-order recommendations.
3. Assists the Buyer by preparing recommendations for next season’s assortments based on analysis of selling history and coming seasons sales plans.
4. Monitor basic stock inventory and sales within stores; maintain model stock levels within the stores;project future receipts and sales of basic stock.
5. Responds pro-actively to poor sellers and advises store management teams as appropriate. Manages markdown process and communicates variances to Buyer 6. Communicates findings to the Buyer, Store Operations team members, GMM, and VP of Retail.
7. Sets goals for department based on plan and anticipated sell through
8. Learns how to determine mark up and price changes on products
9. Review and analyze current sales trends and compare and contrast the data against sales history including reviewing sales by department and reviewing sales by style.
10. Works with the Buyer and the Visual team on store communications.

Posted By: Audrey Donaldson

ASSISTANT BUYER - DTC, POTTERY BARN

Location: San Francisco, CA, US

Requisition Number: PB-5360
Area of Interest: Merchandising
Division: Corporate Pottery Barn
Position Type: Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTION

Our Company
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.

Position Summary
Assists Buyer with established business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, sales, and profits for a department and/or product category. Assistant Buyers also work closely with cross-functional partners to coordinate the flow of information.
Specific Responsibilities
This position is responsible for, but not limited to the following:
• Manages testing, ranking, and updates for Product Information Pages, silos, YMALs, thumbnail changes and category hierarchy through UAT for all skus.
• Ensures accuracy of sku databases and reporting of sku cost information while communicating changes to cross-functional partners.
• Supports the DTC team with catalog proofs and pagination by ensuring accuracy of sku information and images.
• Works closely with the Buyer to provide Inventory Management with final assortment plans, product details, target retails, estimated IMU, and importance to overall assortment (big bets) for developing purchase projections and buy plans.
• Works with cross-functional partners in Inventory, Sourcing, Product Development, Product Information, and Merchandise Operations to coordinate and update sku information, purchase quantities, delivery dates, flow and exit strategies for initial cost and production negotiations, markdowns, and also ensures product quality.
• Tracks catalog photos, eCommerce photos, and product development samples while coordinating asset availability with the team and cross-functional partners.
• Prioritizes and manage multiple calendars, deadlines and project or reporting requests from cross-functional partners.
• Resolves and escalates difficult issues to Buyer, Distribution Center, or Customer Care Center.
• May be responsible to managing a small category and attending catalog and eCommerce photo shoots.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications
• BA/BS
• Previous experience in a retail buying office, or a related experience.
• Displays forward thinking, problem solving, and a sense of urgency.
• Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects

Personal Competencies
Global Business Acumen – Understand the complexity of business on a global scale. Embrace cultural and individual differences with empathy. Work with the nuances of specific local cultures to make informed decisions.

Strategic and Analytical Capability -- Ability to think globally, strategically, and objectively. Effectively translates data into actionable insights, strategies and financial plans.

Leading Teams -- Attracts, develops and motives the talent needed for current and future business requirements. Articulates an inspiring vision for the future, establishes high performance expectations and sets example through own behavior. Ensures alignment of individual goals with overall business objectives. Coaches team members to success and holds individuals accountable for achieving results.

Drive for Results -- Credibility earned through delivering results. Balances urgent and effective action, commitment to excellence, taking initiative to resolve problems and work quality. Demonstrates high initiative and provides leadership in a project-oriented environment.

Effective Communication -- Communicates clearly and effectively with associates at all levels, board members, external partners and customers. Strong verbal and written presentation skills including the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple way and to tailor key messages and presentation style to multiple audiences.

Influence and Collaboration -- Builds and sustains collaborative relationships at multiple levels in the company. Able to work through complex disagreements and conflict to achieve resolution. Builds trust by including others and by keeping the cross-functional teams focused on the success of the entire company.

Nearest Major Market: San Francisco 
Nearest Secondary Market: Oakland 
Job Segment: Procurement, Merchandising, Retail Sales, Buyer, Operations, Retail, Customer Service

Posted by: Audrey Donaldson

ASSISTANT BUYER - RETAIL, POTTERY BARN KIDS (SF)

Location: San Francisco, CA, US

Requisition Number: PK-5580
Area of Interest: Merchandising
Division: Corporate Pottery Barn Kids
Position Type: Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTION

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.

Position Summary

Assist Buyer with developing business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, sales and profits for a department or assigned area. Identify opportunities and recommend new product or concepts for department. Coordinates information across functions working closely with Design, Inventory Management, Sourcing, Production, Packaging and Visual to ensure the process is followed and timelines met. Handles visual signage (new, specials, markdowns). Coordinates production of in-store collateral and product information binders. Attends and participates in Design meetings. May manage one program or small department.

Specific Responsibilities

* Correspond with functional areas. Resolves, handles and escalates difficult issues to Buyer, Call Center and Stores.
* Summarize and communicate merchandising information for store newsletters and emails. Coordinate with Store Operation for disseminating information through appropriate channels.
* Work with Visual to create signage and in-store collateral. Provide Visual with product information (facts, inspiration, pricing). Coordinate the development all signage (new, special, markdowns) and all in-store collateral.
* Communicate pre-ticketing instructions to Sourcing and Production. Provide Inventory Management with pre-ticketing prices.
* Provide Merch Coordinator with product information (facts, pricing) to create Product Information sheets.
* Assist the Buyer with developing the seasonal assortment plans (line lists) to define product requirements for Design.
* Assist Buyer and Inventory Management to provide Sourcing and Production Management with purchase quantities, delivery dates, flow and exit strategies for initial cost and production negotiations for new programs.
* Assist Buyer with providing Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, target retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (big bets) and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plans. Update document and ensure accuracy.
* Investigate and respond to field issues. Coordinate communication strategies with Store Operations. Provide appropriate merchandising information for Store Newsletters.
* Visit stores and contact field management to gather information on product and issues.
* Analyze market (domestic) and provide observations of market to Buyer for market analyses.
* Identify and recommend new products or business opportunities.
* Make recommendations to assist Buyer with developing seasonal and core product mix for department or area. Participate in the development of annual and seasonal financial plans.
* Recommend floor layouts to Buyer.
* Assist Buyer and Inventory Management with determining appropriate adjustments (markdowns, delivery changes and quantity changes) to the plan to maximize sales, profits, budget (OTB) and to protect the brand. Recommend contest ideas and coordinate awards and in-store collateral.
* Assist Buyer with providing information to Visual on in-store promotion strategies and placement of markdown goods.
* Handles escalated customer service issues.
* Provide SKU information to Merchandising Operations for input.
* May be responsible to manage and oversee small department or area.
* Works with the Visual Packaging team to deliver on time artwork to the vendor. Approves artwork and/or works with Protective Packaging team to create packaging for easily damaged items.
* Order input and order tracking (once goods have left the port).
* Work with Production Manager/Sourcing to ensure timely delivery and/or changes to delivery.
* Responsible for approving catalog proofs for each season (pricing, naming, copy).

Personal Competencies

Global Business Acumen - Understand the complexity of business on a global scale. Embrace cultural and individual differences with empathy. Work with the nuances of specific local cultures to make informed decisions.

Strategic and Analytical Capability -- Ability to think globally, strategically, and objectively. Effectively translates data into actionable insights, strategies and financial plans.

Leading Teams -- Attracts, develops and motives the talent needed for current and future business requirements. Articulates an inspiring vision for the future, establishes high performance expectations and sets example through own behavior. Ensures alignment of individual goals with overall business objectives. Coaches team members to success and holds individuals accountable for achieving results.

Drive for Results -- Credibility earned through delivering results. Balances urgent and effective action, commitment to excellence, taking initiative to resolve problems and work quality. Demonstrates high initiative and provides leadership in a project-oriented environment.

Effective Communication -- Communicates clearly and effectively with associates at all levels, board members, external partners and customers. Strong verbal and written presentation skills including the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple way and to tailor key messages and presentation style to multiple audiences.

Influence and Collaboration -- Builds and sustains collaborative relationships at multiple levels in the company. Able to work through complex disagreements and conflict to achieve resolution. Builds trust by including others and by keeping the cross-functional teams focused on the success of the entire company.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
* BA/BS required.
* Previous experience in a retail buying office, or a related experience.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nearest Major Market: San Francisco
Nearest Secondary Market: Oakland
Job Segment: Procurement, Artist, Merchandising, Buyer, Operations, Creative, Retail

Posted By: Audrey Donaldson

Buying Intern (LA)

E-Commerce start-up company: glint & gleam (www.glintandgleam.com) focusing in women's jewelry and accessories seeks a Buying Intern to assist executive buyer with daily tasks including, but not limited to:
-Product descriptions/copy writing
-Occasional Buying trips
-Product styling & assortment planning
-Creating sales events
-Inventory management
-Vendor relations

No prior experience required, but we're looking for a candidate who possesses the following qualifications:
-Studying fashion and/or is interested in working in the fashion industry
-Experience in fashion/retail
-Knowledge of e-commerce and online shopping
-Creative and has an eye for fashion/Trend Conscious
-Great verbal and written communication skills
-Great at time management and multitasking
-Loves women's accessories & Loves to shop
-and of course, is fun and a pleasure to work with!

We are looking for someone to start immediately and can work minimum 3~5 hours/day for 3 days from Monday - Friday. We are willing to work around other work or school schedule.

This is an internship position, but has the potential to become part time or full time, depending on the growth of the company.

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter

Location of work: Downtown Los angeles (Fashion district) 10 Fwy & San Pedro Street
Hiring Organization: Glint & Gleam

Posted by: Manilette Uy-

Jewelry Company Marketing and Sales Intern (LA)

A Los Angeles-based fashion accessories/jewelry company is looking for enthusiastic and creative Marketing & Sales interns to help grow the jewelry company and brand. We are currently in stores all over the US and internationally and seek to grow our presence with a powerful intern team. You will gain hands-on experience in marketing/public relations as we deal with many celebrity clients/stylists/editors, e-commerce, wholesale distribution, customer service of the fashion accessories industry. We are located in the Downtown LA jewelry district. FIDM students who are interested in applying, we are conveniently located just a few blocks away from your campus. This is a paid internship, so only serious, driven candidates will be considered.

Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 
- Updating line sheets, look books, and other sales materials
- Researching and reaching out to account leads
- Communicating with existing accounts and press
- Prepare buyer notes and purchase orders
- Strategize and execute newsletters for email distribution
- Monitor and creatively contribute to our social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
- Ecommerce shipping/handling
- Some Administrative duties
- Arrange photo shoots
- Organizing inventory and samples
- And if we feel you are a dedicated, team player, we will provide you with an opportunity(ies) for paid travel at major tradeshows. 

Requirements:
- Minimum two days a week
- Microsoft Office proficient (especially Excel)
- Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign - a HUGE plus!
- Fashion or Jewelry experience - a HUGE plus!
- Professional, well-spoken, punctual, enthusiastic
- A love for fashion & accessories!!

We hope to bring in an enthusiastic candidate who have a love for the Fashion/Accessories/Jewelry industry and a desire to grow into a higher position within the company. We will provide hands-on training and hope to provide an enjoyable working environment for your long, successful future with our company! 

Please email your resume and an introduction of yourself.

Posted by: Manilette Uy-

Assistant Buyer

A retail company in New York City is looking for an organized, detail oriented Assistant Buyer to join its team. This is an excellent resume-building opportunity for a highly motivated individual with some internship experience and a desire to work in fashion/retail. This is an entry-level role with potential for full time placement- the expectation is to prepare the incumbent for promote-ability into a buyer position.


Company Description Retail Company


Job Description Functioning as the operational extension of assigned buyer(s), the Assistant Buyer will be responsible for:

•Interacting with vendors to handle problem resolution and purchase products
•Managing the purchase order cycle and ensuring adherence to scheduled shipping windows
•Writing and tracking key orders from shipment to distribution
•Analyzing product performance- monitoring of regional merchandise reports, Open-to-Buy monitoring, stock analysis and other ad hoc analyses
•Effectively utilizing the merchandising systems and understand warehouse processes
•Data entry and project work

Required Skills •1+ years of experience in a similar role/ internship experience
•Solid math retail and data entry skills
•Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
•Solid analytical and PC skills, with an emphasis on spreadsheet and Excel skills
•Demonstrates product knowledge through sharing information with buyer as a result of competitive shopping
•Demonstrates understanding of the concept of liquidity
•Understands the concept of budgeting and release of packaway merchandise


Posted By Magie Fong