Buyer

BUYER | JOB DESCRIPTION 

SUMMARY 

At Magnolia, the Buyer is responsible for product assortment and collection building within his or her respective categories. The Buyer is the strategic visionary for our product, understanding trends and capitalizing on demand through the lens of the Magnolia aesthetic and brand. Managing the process from concept to launch, the Buyer will research and source potential products and vendors, keeping in mind the current product collection, category strategy, sales, and the company’s creative direction. Magnolia Buyers monitor and determine the product life cycle and work with multiple departments to ensure the product vision and intention are understood and communicated through Visuals, Marketing, Buying, and Planning. This position works from Magnolia Headquarters in Waco, Texas. It reports to the Senior Buyer or Vice President of Merchandise and Planning and has supervisory responsibilities. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Manage assigned categories in partnership with a Merchandise Planner – building the assortment and driving sales to meet assigned targets* 
• Interpret item and category performance to determine sales trends, opportunities, and recommend actions to maximize revenue while protecting profitability* 
• Research new vendors and products, staying abreast of current and upcoming trends for managed categories while maintaining Magnolia’s aesthetic, design, and vision* 
• Clearly articulate product launch season and life cycle strategy through product presentations to cross-functional leadership* 
• Set pricing strategy for the category and subcategory levels in accordance with margin goals to optimize revenue and profitability 
• Communicate cross-functionally on assortment intention and strategy 
• Maintain product and vendor information in software system, ensuring accuracy and troubleshooting  
• Monitor team progress in achieving financial and professional goals 
• Provide guidance and development opportunities for potential direct reports 
• Partner with vendors regarding product information, payment information, costing, timelines, lead times, etc. 
• Track and organize samples including labeling and preparing samples for presentation and coordinating returns with vendors 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

*Metrics evaluated on Performance Review 

 COMPETENCIES 

• Teamwork: Foster a team environment supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Effectively evaluate team members' strengths and ensure members are operating in their strengths. Identify, communicate to, and train employees whose performance needs to improve. 
• Critical Thinking: Evaluate and address problems quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Have an analytical and unbiased approach. Understand financial metrics, budgeting, and resource allocation to make decisions. 
• Expertise: Maintain a thorough understanding of your area and each role in it to ensure all work is completed accurately and on time. Stay current on trends and advances in your field. Foster employees' abilities to become experts by connecting them with the resources and training needed. 
• Communication: Actively engage in listening to teammates and guests and be open to feedback from guests, peers, and management. Establish communication channels between employees, management and guests. Utilize written and verbal communication skills to convey information effectively. 
• Guest Focus: Establish and uphold a culture of exceptional guest engagement and service, setting a standard through exemplary leadership. 
• Strategy and Goal Setting: Approach change with positivity and curiosity, leading through ambiguity. Break down team goals into daily or weekly goals, establish metrics, and communicate what actions employees must take to contribute to achieving these goals. 
• Hard skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required. 

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university preferred 
• 1-3 years of management experience and/or 5+ years of related work experience or a combination preferred    

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and arms to reach, handle, feel; utilize fine motor dexterity of fingers; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  

Magnolia is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. 

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description at any time.