Clothing Buyer
North 40 Outfitters in Great Falls, MT, is seeking a Clothing Buyer to join our team. We believe that each team member plays a vital role in our company's success, and we are looking for authentic and enthusiastic people who love our lifestyle and believe in service before self. As a Clothing Buyer at North 40, you play a key role in the overall customer experience by providing our customers with high-quality products, selected for value and usability. You will be responsible for gathering and evaluating data to make strategic buying and category decisions.
This full-time position requires the ability to work all scheduled shifts between the business hours of Mon-Fri, 8 am to 5 pm. This position will be required to work upwards of 55 hours a week. This shift can include working weekends and certain holidays and will require flexibility in scheduling based on business needs.
Qualifications
- Willingness to share credit, work with others in a team environment, and define success collectively rather than individually
- Ability to take the initiative, embrace change, and learn new things
- Drive to be dependable, and to perform well against the expectations of the role
- Purchasing and negotiations experience required
- Retail experience preferred
- Possess extensive knowledge/experience in the clothing industry
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with intermediate to advanced Excel skills
- Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Gather, evaluate, and interpret multiple data points to make strategic buying and category decisions
- Responsible for related product life cycle from planning and initial release to monitoring trends, replenishment, and clearance process, including ad planning and placement
- Follow guidelines to expand, add, or discontinue products based on historical selling patterns/forecasts.
- Negotiate category buys and adjustments.
- Analyze business weekly and monthly to develop strategies that should be defined at the top level then drill down for action plan and execution deliverables.
- Maintain strong, positive, and productive relationships with current vendors and the store’s sales and marketing teams to execute strategies
- Monitor competition, both from “brick and mortar” stores and online retailers, and pursue competitive advantages.
- Partner with fellow buying team to analyze category sales and inventory challenges. As a team, develop action plans and distribute responsibilities equitably, and report on progress.
- Communicate trends, review strategies, and monitor progress weekly on a broad array of SKUs.
- Collaborate with and provide directions to Assistant Buyer(s) to ensure achievement of category goals and financial plan
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge through publications, research, vendor and manufacturer contacts, workshops, personal networks, and attendance at industry shows.
- Have an unquenchable passion for the retail industry and all things outdoors.
- Understanding of correct lifting and loading techniques. Physical ability to lift and carry 0-10 lbs. continuously, 10-25 lbs. frequently, and 25-55 lbs. occasionally, and team lift anything over 55 lbs.
Additional Information
BENEFITS & COMPENSATION
We offer a competitive wage, a rewarding work environment, and generous benefits and perks such as paid holidays, a 401(k) option, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and a phenomenal employee discount on all products North 40 sells.
North 40 Outfitters is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.