Merchandise Buyer

Job Responsibility: Regular/Temporary Regular Job Title Merchandise Buyer Job ID 68991 Location Central Campus Open Date 04/24/2025 Job Type Contractualy Limited =12 Close Date 05/16/2025 Employee Group Unifor Unit 1, Staff Favorite Job Department Campus Stores Central Administ Salary Grade/Band Grade 7 Salary Range $24.59 - $38.17 (hourly) Contract Duration 12.2 Months Hours per Week 35

Responsible for coordinating the purchasing cycle of merchandise goods for resale in a University store environment. Provide expertise and a thorough knowledge of all products within the specified retail, digital, and online spaces and how best to display that merchandise to optimize sales. Negotiate best prices with vendors and calculate and set retail prices to ensure margin and budget targets are achieved.

Representative Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other buyers and staff to ensure goods are ordered in a timely fashion and that all necessary policies and procedures are followed.
• Conduct analysis of sell-through, margins, in stock position, and inventory turnover of general merchandise.
• Determine the quality and quantity of products purchased.
• Initiate and approve general merchandise purchase orders in accordance with department and University purchasing policies.
• Obtain necessary purchase order approvals when purchase authorization limit has been exceeded.
• Ensure timely delivery, accurate pricing information, and maintenance of data information associated with the products being purchased and resold.
• Negotiate price, terms, and delivery with vendors.
• Coordinate and oversee the selection of merchandise including vendor and product selection.
• Coordinate the return of merchandise to vendors for overstock, damaged and defective merchandise.
• Coordinate all price changes on purchased products.
• Coordinate the flow of merchandise distributions and transfers between stores.
• Coordinate on-site and off-site displays and sales events.
• Ensure that all data, files, purchase orders, invoices, and supporting documentation are current, accurate and understandable for use by other staff to aid in the process of receiving, invoicing, and merchandising.
• Write a variety of documents including, but not limited to, correspondence, procedure documents, and training manuals.
• Assist in creating business plans for the department by providing input into forecasting sales and budgets, write-offs, and discounts.
• Collaborate with colleagues to create promotional material.
• Enter data into the inventory management system for internal use and for the online sale of merchandise.
• Work with colleagues to realize available marketing funds and rebates available from suppliers.
• Determine the life-cycle of products and coordinate markdown schedules accordingly.
• Oversee inventory control by analyzing inventory trends, and by reviewing receiving logs, outstanding purchase orders, and sales histories.
• Review and drive returns cycle where applicable.
• Monitor the receiving, transferring, and in stock position of all general merchandise products throughout the sales cycle.
• Participate in the day-to-day maintenance of the sales floor ensuring accurate shelf-talkers and signage, and completing regular inspections of inventory.
• Design and implement sales floor layouts of purchased merchandise for all locations where merchandise is displayed.
• Assign work tasks to staff and ensure they are shown the proper methods and procedures for displaying merchandise.
• Ensure that all general merchandise credits and adjustments are calculated by the accounts department.

Representative Duties & Responsibilities

• Organize overstock merchandise products in designated areas within the store, stockroom, and warehouse as required.
• Attend trade shows and industry events as required.
• Ensure the proper opening and closing of the store following established department policies and procedures.
• Run system reports and conduct manual inventory counts of merchandise ensuring the physical inventory matches the reports.
• Operate the cash register as required.
• Remain current with new product lines and make purchases that satisfy the changing market, while maintaining return on investment by continually exploring new and emerging product offerings.

Supervision

• Provide direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.

Qualifications

• 2 year Community College diploma in Retail Management, Marketing, or related field.
• Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at View phone number on ca.edajobs.com-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.