Watch Buyer I - Zales

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Signet Jewelers is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating more than 2,800 stores worldwide under the iconic brands: Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Rocksbox, JamesAllen.com and Diamonds Direct. We are a people-first company and this core value is at the heart of everything we do, from empowering our valued team members, to collaborating with our customers, to fostering the communities in which we live and serve. People – and the love their actions inspire – are what drive us. We’re not only proud of the love we inspire outside our walls, we’re especially proud of the diversity, inclusion and equity we’re inspiring inside. There are dynamic career paths awaiting you – rewarding opportunities to impact the lives of others and inspire love. Join us!

Watch Buyer I is responsible for the end-to-end management of the watch category, including assortment planning, product selection, vendor management, inventory maintenance, and promotional strategies. The Watch Buyer I operates with day-to-day ownership of the category while reporting to the Sr. Buyer and partnering closely to develop and execute overall category strategies.

Category Management

o Give input as requested to set Strategic Vision for Category

o Ability to adjust quickly, if needed, to changing market trends, conditions, priorities, and corporate strategies.

o Analyze and React to Business on a weekly basis

o Participate in the development of financial plans and advertising/marketing plans for designated product categories.

o Assist in all business reviews for all designated product categories to Leadership.

o Oversee training and career development for Direct Reports / Team

Assortment Management & Brand/Vendor Management.

o Select watch merchandise from established brand partners, ensuring assortments align with consumer demand, brand positioning, and strategic department goals.

o Actively manage the watch assortment lifecycle from initial selection and seasonal assortment planning through inventory management, promotional activity, markdowns, and end of life.

o Partner with Senior Buyer to develop and maintain strategic brand assortments, identifying opportunities to expand key brands, styles, collections, and price points based on customer demand and category performance.

o Build and maintain strong relationships with watch brand partners, strategically managing the vendor base to optimize assortment, inventory, pricing, product availability, and overall category performance.

Collaboration

o Coordinate efforts with the marketing, visual display and advertising departments to promote and market key items, programs/brands and categories.

o Merchandise all marketing channel items for designated product categories. Present and justify all catalog/promotional items to merchandise directors and vice presidents.

o Participate in management of open-to-buy for assigned product categories with CMT and update as needed.

o When applicable; work directly with Signet’s accounting department to ensure credits/aging are applied correctly.

o Assist CMT with issues on vendor performance, including late orders and quality control issues.

o Proofing of all advertising materials to ensure accuracy including emails, web site and store signage.

o Work in collaboration with Visual Merchandising team for in-store presentations (planograms).

o Work cross-functionally with stores Ops team, VM, DC team and Planning on store test, Rollouts, RTV’s

Additional Job Description

Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field preferred

Required or Acceptable Job-Related Experience: 2+ years’ experience prior buying experience

Years of Job-Related Experience Required: 2+ years

Technical/Other Skills Required:

o Computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office/Excel.

o Strong communication skills (both written and verbal), negotiation skills, attention to detail and accuracy, organizational skills, and math skills (ability to work with numbers and analyze data).

o Ability to be metal free and work in a metal free environment, when necessary, is based on security policy.

o Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

o Ability to work independently as well as a team.

o Ability to lead team if applicable.

o Ability to demonstrate leadership skills.