Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn teen, pottery barn kids, Rejuvenation, Mark & Graham, west elm, or Outward. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.
We hope you're interested in building a home with us. Even if you don't feel that you meet every requirement listed in this job description, we still encourage you to apply.
Overview of the role
Develop business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, sales and profits for a department or assigned area. Identify opportunities and recommend new product or concepts for department. Manage information across functions working closely with Design, Inventory Management, Sourcing, Production, Packaging and Creative Services to ensure the process is followed and timelines met. Manage and develop Associate and Assistant Buyers.
This position is onsite in Brooklyn, NY (DUMBO) 4x a week (hybrid role).
Responsibilities
* Develop business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, sales and profits for a department or assigned area.
* Identify opportunities and recommend new product or concepts for department.
* Manage information across functions working closely with Design, Inventory Management, Sourcing, Production, Packaging and Visual to ensure the process is followed and timelines met.
* Perform market analysis, competitive shop and analyze sales trends to keep abreast of current trends.
* Identify emerging trends. Develop business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, new opportunities and threats Communicate annual and seasonal strategies to functional areas (Inventory, Design, Sourcing, Production, Packaging, Visual).
* Develop and recommend seasonal and core product mix for department or area. Collaborate with Inventory Management to develop annual and seasonal financial plans.
* Collaborate with Inventory Management to provide Sourcing and Production Management with purchase quantities, delivery dates, flow and exit strategies for initial cost and production negotiations for new programs.
* Maintain relationships, resolve issues and conduct final negotiations with significant suppliers and agents as necessary (domestic and overseas).
* Recommend and collaborate with Visual to plan floor layouts.
* Provide Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, target retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (big bets), flow to DC and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plans.
* For assigned areas, approve final: Product collections from Designs recommendations, Order quantities from Inventory Management s recommendations, Costing and delivery dates from Sourcing and Production, Changes that affect production deadlines and plan objectives, Floor plan layouts from Visual, and Signage and in-store collateral.
* Collaborate with Inventory Management and recommend adjustments (markdowns, delivery changes and quantity changes) to the plan to maximize sales, profits, budget (OTB) and to protect the brand. Determine contests and provide awards.
* Investigate and respond to field issues. Coordinate communication strategies with Store Operations. Provide appropriate merchandising information for Store Newsletters.
* Visit stores and contact field management to gather information on customer feedback and product issues.
* Obtain feedback from stores to improve product and add to collections.
* Provide information to Visual on in-store promotion strategies and placement of markdown goods.
* Develop one to two Assistant Buyers. Clarify objectives, assess performance and provide regular feedback.
* Determine workload for staff; recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results.
* Interview candidates and make hiring recommendations.
* Present seasonal product information (inspirations and facts) to field.
* Work closely with catalog counterpart to develop appropriate merchandising/pricing strategies for the brand.
Criteria
BA/BS Required 5-7 years Buying/Merchandising experience. Domestic Travel 2x year Potential International Travel 1-2x year Keen business and analytical skills
Our Mission Around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. We will create and nurture a global company culture where we confidently bring our authentic selves to work every day: where the only criteria for advancement are the quality of our work, the contributions we make to our teams and the business, and our ability to lead; and where our individual differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored and appreciated.
Benefits Just for You
Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:
A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits Tax-free commuter benefits A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional healthYour Journey in Continued Learning
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities Resources for self-development Advisor (Mentor) program Career development workshops and learning programs Speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $105,000 + Bonus. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
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