Job Description

Description:

SUMMARY

Working under supervision, the Merchant develops and manages action plans and the integration of support groups to execute GameStop's category strategies and processes in relation to vendor management, integrated promotional planning, assortment management, price management, and business performance. The Merchant will assist the business team leader in implementing the company vision and category objectives through execution of GameStop's retail processes. The Merchant manages daily tasks to accomplish the business and financial goals set forth. The Merchant would assist in budget development and drives toward the financial goals within a given category. Associate will interact with his or her supervisor as needed by either. Most activities are completed without a supervisor's advance approval.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*

Executes the Assortment Management process
Works with Visual team and Merchant Director on Store Visual Presentations
Responsible for ensuring timelines are adhered to and all communication is given to the appropriate parties (i.e. Inventory Allocation, Inventory Control, Space Planning, Marketing, E-Commerce, Etc.)
Work with Merchant Director, Planning, Pricing, and Visual to plan and execute SKU introductions and exits as it applies to store sets, margin, and sales goals
Ensure good, better, best is planned where applicable; breadth of vendors is covered, and includes the competitive landscape (evaluating assortment by store/market/division for maximizing product in different assortment groups)
Works with the Pricing Team and Merchant Director to Ensure margins and retails are in-line to achieve financial expectations, promotional and clearance rotations are established to meet intended goals
Must understand implications of assortment decisions and react throughout product life cycle
Work with Visual Team, Planning, and Merchant Director to Ensure all channels have the appropriate assortment
Supports the marketing team in ensuring all promotional materials are proofed appropriately
Negotiates promotional offers
Partners with vendors and channel teams to drive out channel-specific promotions and offers
Drives the category business plans to achieve financial metrics
Monitors market share
Suggests and implements plans to drive the category appropriately
Works closely with finance to execute price changes within budgets
Responsible for the vendor funding & CO-OP process
Manages the vendor relationship with prompt, courteous and professional communication, fact-based information sharing, etc.
Work closely with planning to forecast all financial metrics, open to buy, profit, and inventory metrics are properly reported and managed to meet category objectives
Category recaps (weekly and monthly)
Creates strong cross-functional partnerships to drive results
Partner with category teams, marketing, eCommerce, pricing, planning, operations, IT, vendors, and other internal and external partners to ensure holistic category plans are developed and executed
Ensure business, retail, and vendor strategies are aligned in support of the employee and customer experience
Accountable for providing guidance, answers, and support to retail stores and multi-unit leaders for all areas of responsibility.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, merchandising, or related field from an accredited program required; additional education in retail merchandising, buying, marketing, and business analytics preferred
At least 5-7 years of retail buying experience required; closely related work experience may be used as a substitute

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Proficient written/verbal communication and presentation skills
Expert ability to work collaboratively with others; conducts working relationships in a manner acceptable to others and to the organization
Proficient project planning skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize and control job responsibilities in order to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, performance driven organization
Possess proficient analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs, especially Outlook, Excel, and Word

This job was posted on Sat Nov 13 2021 and expired on Fri Dec 03 2021.

Minimum $14K /yr

$59K /yr Average

Maximum $150K /yr

Tasks

Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.

Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.

Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.

Recommend mark-up rates, markdown rates, or merchandise selling prices.

Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.

Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.

Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed.

Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.

Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.

Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.

Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.

Provide clerks with information to print on price tags, such as price, mark-ups or mark-downs, manufacturer number, season code, or style number.

Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.

Determine which products should be featured in advertising, the advertising medium to be used, or when the ads should be run.

Monitor competitors' sales activities by following their advertisements in newspapers or other media.

Analyze environmental aspects of competing merchandise when making buying decisions.

Compare transportation options to determine the most energy efficient options.

Develop strategies to advertise green products or merchandise to consumers.

Identify opportunities to buy green commodities, such as alternative energy, water, or carbon-neutral products for resale to consumers.

Monitor consumer preferences or environmental trends to determine the best way to introduce new green products.

Skills

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Knowledge

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.