The Buyer and Visual Merchandiser
About:
Graham Jewelers is a family-owned and operated store with more than a half-century in the Wayzata community. What began in 1951 as Miller’s Jewelry became Graham Jewelers in 2003. With decades of industry experience and genuine enthusiasm for creating a great experience for every customer, the Graham Jewelers staff have created a beautiful, warm, and welcoming environment.
From engagement rings and appraisals to selling estate jewelry or making a repair, Graham Jewelers is truly a full-service store. We offer custom jewelry that combines state-of-the-art equipment with handcrafted techniques. We’re passionate about every facet of the jewelry business and want to be our customers’ jeweler for life.
Job Summary:
The Buyer and Visual Merchandiser is integral to the ongoing success of the business. He/she researches, analyzes, and forecasts current and future buying trends, markets, styles, and products, with attention to specified target market and demographics. Using an inventory management system to manage, update, and analyze inventory records, the Buyer and Visual Merchandiser will manage store inventory to ensure appropriate inventory and stock levels are maintained. He/she also maintains the showroom floor to ensure merchandise display adheres to visual merchandising standards. The Buyer and Visual Merchandiser liaises between store personnel and vendors so that an optimum customer experience relative to merchandise availability, quality, and selection exists.
Reports to:
Owner
Schedule:
Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm; as needed to help with Saturdays, Holidays, and special events.
Job Responsibilities: Include the following, others may be assigned.
● Ongoing Buying Functions
● Curate the inventory selection based on data analytics, budgets, and visual merchandising needs.
● Manage the reorder of fast selling merchandise, program pieces and never outs on a daily and weekly basis.
● Create inventory programs and collections.
● Educate sales associates on product and vendor information, lead time and availability.
● Ensure all items purchased have a PO in the Edge.
● Oversee that all products received into inventory are strategic and requested items (no padded orders) to include both memo and asset inventory.
● Manage turnover, GMROI, gross profit, and aged inventory KPIs by category, vendor and/ or collection.
● Build and maintain professional relationships with vendors.
Trade Show and Vendor Meetings:
● Lead the team in the preparation of buying shows and vendor meetings.
● Create inventory plans (tick sheets) by vendor, category, and collections.
● Maintain buying show calendar and vendor appointments using the company provided scheduling tools.
● Create planograms for brands and collections.
● Generate and utilize a variety of inventory reports to make data driven decisions.
● Manage budgets to determine show budget by vendor, level and/or collection including asset, memo, and stock balance plan.
● Lead buying show / vendor meetings
● Attend all professional meetings and appointments.
● Negotiate favorable terms and conditions for all contracts.
● Select high quality / great value selections based on data analytics, budgets, and visual merchandising needs.
● Cultivate and manage vendor relationships.
● Manage fast sellers, seasonal/fresh merchandise, aged inventory, and core products.
● Post buying show / vendor meetings
● Create post buying show PO list to include budget plan, purchase amount, stock balance amount, net total, asset / memo, and negotiated invoice terms.
● Finalize all proformas.
● Enter all purchase orders in the Edge.
● Meet with staff to share new product information and vendor updates.
Visual Merchandising:
● Maintain showcase floor plan by vendor, collection, or level.
● Responsible for the visual presentation for each showcase – Verified Daily.
● Design, order, and maintain product displays – approval required.
● Create appealing presentation of collections, stories, and programs.
● Ensure all programs / never outs are restocked daily.
● Manage understock and back stock.
Operations:
● Coordinate, participate in, and reconcile annual physical inventory.
● Assist in the planning and execution of inventory reduction events.
● Keep all files and paperwork organized (by fiscal year and by vendor) and up to date.
● Maintain a clean and organized work area and assigned area of responsibility (AOR)
● Participate in open and closing activities as required.
● Participates in store meetings.
● Audit layaways and special orders monthly.
● Analyze and purchase boxes and packaging and maintain backstock.
● Gift wrap, event and front of house support when needed.
● Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Competencies
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Establishes effective relationships and interacts with key personnel and important contacts.
Customer Service: Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Is consistently at work and on time.
Problem Solving: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Organized and Attention to Detail: Manages time and resources well; Double-checks work; Maintains quality standards; Remembers details such as project timeline dates; Asks clarifying questions.
Education and Work Experience:
● At least two years of retail experience required.
● Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or related field preferred.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Knowledge of Edge software
● Knowledge of fine jewelry
Physical Demands:
Sits for extended periods of time. Have visual acuity to read computer screen and manual dexterity to operate other industry specific tools and equipment such as jeweler’s loupe or microscope. Able to bend and reach throughout shift. Able to lift or carry items weighing less than 25 lbs. Must be able to regularly travel to trade shows and retail locations.
