Assistant Buyer

Role

The overall role of an Assistant Buyer for Lammle’s is to support the merchandise buying team by blending creativity with analytical skills to ensure the right products are selected and delivered for the business. This position requires a keen understanding of both current fashion trends and the authentic western lifestyle that defines Lammle’s core customer base. Assistant Buyers play a pivotal part in developing category strategies, executing purchase orders, and maintaining effective communication with suppliers to resolve any issues related to delivery, quantity, or quality. By leveraging their product knowledge and industry insight, they contribute to the success of the brand and help shape the future direction of Western Wear at Lammle’s.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Supports the Buyer in the development of annual category strategies for each location, including product selection and stock
• When asked attends supplier line review to understand the latest industry trends and fashion. Develops a significant product knowledge of the assigned category, product/price positioning.

Assortment/Purchasing Order Management

• Executes the category assortment plan through accurate style creation/management and the timely completion of purchase orders
• Monitors the progress of purchase orders to ensure that they arrive on time and in the correct quantities, in support of the assigned categories sales and inventory plan.
• Proactively identifies concerns and supports the Buyer decision making on purchase order issues such as late delivery, short shipment, and quality concerns. Communicate with the suppliers to resolve these issues.
• Executes in-season purchase order management in support of open-to-buy decisions, as prescribed by the Buyer.

Inventory Management

• Identifies needs and executes the ongoing fulfillment of basic replenishment product.
• Reports and identifies solutions to address inventory needs within the store network and in support of Lammle’s E-Commerce channel
• Identifies needs and executes on product transfers or consolidation to support category efficiency, product sell through, and limit stock outs/sizing issues at store level
• Pull reporting

Product Promotion and Price Management

• Executes system pricing for slow moving products and aged inventory, as directed
• Executes system pricing in support of advertising, product promotions or other events to stimulate seasonal sales.

Skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in an organized and timely fashion with proven track record of delivering on projects and process improvements
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• A creative problem solver, pro-active and able to use initiative to develop solutions
• Demonstrated team-building skills including experience in goal setting, motivating, leading, evaluating and developing a high-performance team.
• Ability to take direction from others and apply timely

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience as a merchandise assistant
• Experience in Retail Environments is an asset.