Position:  Buyer

Reports to:  Merchandise Manager, Product Selection & Development

Classification:  Full-time - Salary

Location:  Manchester

Major Purpose: The Buyer will ensure success of assigned departments and direct reports while protecting and developing The Vermont Country Store brand by targeting Hard-To-Find, practical and functional products for multiple business channels to meet strategic goals and objectives.

Major Responsibilities

• Select and present new product for inclusion into a specific channel using the assortment plan and customer targeting as guides.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Materials Management, Merchandising and Creative teams to ensure appropriate product assortment, selection and presentation. 
• Utilize Marketing and Merchandising reports and analysis to ensure appropriate merchandise assortment to maximize sales and profits and minimize risk to the business.
• Direct and manage the sales, margin and return rates to meet budget guidelines and expectations.
• Establish, communicate and execute a clear and specific vision for their assigned departments to maximize sales.
• Develop a buying team for assigned departments and fosters participation in overall department management by collaborating with other buying teams.
• Demonstrate leadership through staff development, promotion of department goals, collaboration with key business partners and participation in various business decisions.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with current and perspective suppliers to maximize product and sale potential.
• Demonstrate strong negotiating skills with current and perspective suppliers.
• Responsible for and manages their team's participation in sample meetings, creative briefs and catalogue production process according to Merchandising guidelines and standards.
• Strive to continuously improve product offerings by understanding customer attitudes and buying preference through market analysis and customer sales information and sharing this information with their buying team.
• Collaborate with Product and Brand Research teams to ensure product placement that meets new product guidelines.
• Ability to think strategically and implement company strategy, goals and objectives.
• Available to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• All other duties assigned.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree and/or at least 5-7 years experience in a Catalogue and/or Retail environment and experience managing a staff of 2+ members.
• Excellent communication skills including confidence in public speaking and presentations.
• Enthusiasm for VCS product and respect for our customer and their needs.
• Enthusiasm and tenacity about the 'hunt' for product. Persistence and follow up on leads.
• Innovative thinking to research hard-to-find products.
• Attention to accuracy and detail.
• Positive, team oriented attitude and manner.
• bility to prioritize work in multi-discipline environment.
• Supervisory Responsibilities - Excels in supervision and leadership of direct reports.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Excels in understanding of retail mathematical concepts in such a way as to utilize this information for pricing and effectiveness. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Interested candidates please contact Daire Gibney: dgibney@vermontcountrystore.com