Buyer - Team Sports

Company: Sears Holdings Management Corporation Job Title: Buyer - Team Sports/Active Location: Illinois Hoffman Estates, 60179 Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's third largest broadline retailer, with approximately $55 billion in annual revenues, and with approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Formed in March 2005 from the merger of Sears and Kmart, Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 14 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com. Sears Holdings Corporation is committed to improving the lives of our customers by providing quality services, products and solutions that earn their trust and build lifetime relationships. We are proud of our diverse, high-performance team work environment and we strive for continuous improvement through keen focus on growth, effectiveness and a sense of urgency. Individuals who are driven to earn our customers' trust and business every day, who act with integrity, who treat everyone fairly and value diversity, and who are accountable for their actions are welcome to show interest in becoming a member of our winning team. Description:
The Buyer is responsible for meeting planned sales, margin and inventory turnover goals for their designated area. The objectives will be met through focused merchandise assortments productive marketing and sound merchandise management. The Buyer may have brand management, product development or open market responsibilities. Merchandise is purchased to maximize results while enhancing the overall department, group and company strategy. This position reports directly to the Division Merchandise Manager or General Merchandise Manager and has management responsibility for Associate Buyers and Buyers Assistants. This position works closely with the management team, merchandise planning team, promotional planning team, merchandise placement team and the merchandising support team to significantly improve the profitability and maximize shareholder value.

Qualifications:
Responsibilities Executes sales, margin and inventory plans Monitors performance versus plan to identify trend opportunities Manages all aspects of the merchandise offering - selection, negotiation, promotion and disposition Develops customer driven assortments that support departmental goals and key item focus Provides collaborative guidance, direction and support to the planning organization in the development of merchandise, key item and ladder plans Ensures the merchandise selection matches customer needs, customer orientation and satisfaction Ensures merchandise mix balances quantity, style, size and price consistent with company and individual market requirements Develops line strategies Prepares for and presents products at Assortment Reviews/Style Outs, Line and Business Reviews Attends relevant trade shows, markets and events to observe market trends, gather product information, selects merchandise and establish business relationships with viable vendors Visits stores to evaluate merchandise mix, observes competition, weighs individual store needs and translate findings into executable product plans Manages integration with Product Development regarding design, sourcing and brand development Establishes collaborative relationships with placement to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise Develops and maintains relationships with vendors. Interacts with the vendor community within Sears' standards and codes of ethics Manages vendor performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives Selects products to maximize return of advertising expenses. Partners with marketing team to reconcile marketing plans and promotional calendar. Monitors and maintains promotional performance Partners with the planner to complete accurate forecasts by evaluating financial information, current trends and anticipated market changes that impact buy decisions and strategies Coaches and develops Associate Buyers and Buyers Assistants to ensure growth and readiness for next level position Drives compliance and standards with processes, policies, tools, and associates within the group Ensures promotional execution accuracy (pricing, signage, etc.) Skill/Experience Requirements Bachelor's degree from a four year college or university; or four years related experience and/ or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience Strong merchandising, product and analytical skills Demonstrated leadership and decision making skills Proficiency in the use of desktop applications and Windows-based programs Retail math literacy and application of concepts to daily operations 3-5 years in related buying experience or 5-7 years with a mix of buying, planning and placement responsibilities Strong working knowledge of Assortment Planning, Clustering, XP, SPRS, AdPlan, Frequency, MRE, Promotional Performance Reporting (AdEffect), SignRiter

Benefits:
As a Sears professional, your career path options will be determined by your performance as well as your desire to advance further within Sears organization. And you'll get some of the best benefits in the industry: -Medical, Dental and Legal Plans -Associate Stock Purchase Plan -Flexible Spending Accounts -Associate Discounts -Group Universal Life Insurance -Long-Term Disability Insurance -Long-Term Care Insurance -Business Travel Accident Insurance -Short-Term Disability -Vacation/Personal and National Holidays -WorkLife Solutions Please Note: Different eligibility rules apply to certain benefits. Some businesses do not offer all benefits shown.

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