Associate Buyer - Hybrid

Associate Buyer - HYBRID

• On Site 2 days a week at Hoffman Estates Headquarters***

About The Role

The primary function of the Global Buying department is to deliver a commercially focused and balanced product range that meets customer needs. The Group Associate Buyer will be specifically responsible for supporting the delivery of key financial metrics for the department, such as sales, profit, margin, markdown, and discount, with the core areas of responsibility being: Business Analysis/Merchandising Strategy, Product Development, Manage Vendor Relationships, Build Relationships, Execution of Assistant Buyer tasks. The role of the Group Associate Buyer plays as a key part in the business as they will support in looking for new trends and ideas and then turning those ideas into a commercial proposition for our customers.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop merchandise strategy with buyer/planner
• Negotiate with vendors, both domestic and international, for price and delivery
• Meeting with vendors for any product category as required, to discuss any product opportunities
• Analyze current market trends and ideas to recommend and develop new items for purchase
• Partner with various departments including but not limited to Planning, Allocation, Marketing, QA, PD, Logistics, and In-Store Presentation to ensure the correct execution of assortments in stores
• Conducts regular competitive shopping and reports back findings and relevant actions, utilizing all information necessary
• Creates and facilitates an effective work environment by coaching, developing, and mentoring teams, developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, modeling teamwork, recognizing and maintaining open communication
• Dotted line responsibility relationship with Assistant Buyer
• Builds innovative/differentiated products into assortments, takes informed risks
• Provide analytical creative and managerial support to the buyer
• Analyze business weekly with responsibility to report findings to upper management
• Develops unique, differentiated merchandise with an understanding of product development
• Develop merchandise assortment according to the season for assigned area of responsibility consistent with financial plans and merchandising trends
• Partner with merchandisers to evaluate plans by re-deploying inventory investment due to shifts in business to maximize financial plans
• Source new vendors/expand vendor base
• Manages and oversees the critical path with the buying, merchandising, and quality teams to ensure on-time delivery

Decision Making

• Makes everyday operational decisions to get the job done
• Makes job function and tactical decisions that could affect others
• Makes job function and strategic decisions that could affect the overall company

About You

Education: Bachelor's Degree Required

• Flexibility and ability to follow through on an assignment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels across all sectors
• Travel as required
• Have a keen interest in all aspects of the fashion industry
• Strong oral and written skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• 2 – 3 years of direct retail buying experience
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize workload
• Strong negotiation and organizational skills

Claire's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants' needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require.