Associate Buyer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Develop and attain budgeted sales, gross margin, and market share for a single category. Locate and select assortment for the enterprise and manage vendor relationships to maximize sales, margin and minimize cost. Demonstrate Kroger core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop and communicate corporate strategy for new releases
- Maintain an awareness of current sales trends and assesses impact on business needs
- Create business plan for the category
- Create sales plan, display plans and ad plans
- Maintain Division specific Enterprise Sales Planning (ESP)
- Review sales, profit and promotional performance by the division
- Source and select new products
- Implement corporate pricing strategy; maintaining competitiveness while maximizing sales and profit potential
- Manage vendor relationships for the enterprise, including negotiation vendor allowances, payment terms, in-stocks and orders as necessary
- Develop enterprise specific selling programs for category
- Partner with planner on financial planning, vendor financial plans and strategies
- Participate in floor planning and plan-o-gram process
- Maintain comprehensive awareness of industry trends, competitive landscape across the enterprise and regional needs
- Develop advertising campaigns; select merchandise to advertise
- Research and assist with resolutions for store/division inquiries
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum
- Bachelor's Degree
- 2+ years of combined assistant buyer and assistant planner experience; or combination of relevant education and experience
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Single category and lower level of complexity than buyer in item difficulty, promo intensity, regionality, category innovation, vendor difficulty, sales and growth goals
- Highly motivated and self-directed
- Function in a fast paced-paced, retail office environment
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks and projects
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Strong attention to detail
- Familiarity with industry/technical terms and processes