Assistant Merchant Ii - Headquarters

Job Title: Assistant Merchant II

Summary: The Assistant Merchant II will support the Merchant in the execution of strategies along with growing and learning to develop the long-range business strategy within the area. This role includes strong attention to detail and excellent analytical abilities to assist with vendor communication, inventory productivity management, and marketing of specific lines/categories to significantly improve profitability. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist and support the Merchant in determining the assortment of products best suited to our customer(s) needs and aligned with the merchandising strategy in each area.
• Assist and execute strategies for stock items and special-order items responsible for the accuracy of the Vendor Information and Special-Order Information Files
• Identify opportunities in the market by comparing competitor’s assortments, pricing, reacting to feedback from stores or vendors, including New Item Request (NIR) or Urgent Product Need (UPN)
• Assist in the management the product lifecycle in the creation of new items and execution of clearance strategies as needed. Obtain the necessary information for item creation and maintenance in D365. Maintain data integrity to support sourcing, replenishment, available to promise dates, web product content
• Drive the identification of issues with data integrity, utilizing or creating exception reports as needed
• Maintain data related to terms of sale including payment terms, lead time, delivery cadence, minimum order requirements, prepaid freight minimums
• Identify alternative sources of product as necessary
• Develop collaborative relationships with vendors to ensure inquiries are responded to in a timely fashion. Sustain effective communication to perform necessary duties.
• Research and resolve billing inquiries and issues
• Verify pricing (both purchase and retail trade agreements) are correct and as intended
• Ensure the accurate and timely execution of both planned and sale pricing as necessary
• Support Merchant with overall assortment presentation in the stores, managing assortment to business opportunity and space allocation
• Assist in the development of presentation briefs, critical paths or Product Change Notices (PCNs) for new or clearance items
• Assist Merchant in the development of marketing strategies
• Complete all data inputs needed to successfully execute marketing strategies.
• Additional projects or responsibilities as required by merchant to VP of Merchandising & Replenishment

Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Specialized training or related coursework in Retail Administration, Merchandising, Business, or another related field of study desired.

Experience: Minimum of two years’ experience in a retail buying office preferred, or a related merchandising experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This position includes extensive connection between our vendor partners with special order programs and our team of Kitchen & Bath designers. Special orders require “high touch” and service from our partners in the stores and questions or urgent requests may be directed to the Merchant team in this area. Experience with design teams, special order follow up, systems and processes to facilitate order placement are all preferred to provide the ongoing level of service needed.

• Exceptional organization skills, keen attention to detail, ability to anticipate and resolve upstream and downstream impacts, strong written and verbal communication skills across all levels within the organization and is a resourceful problem solver.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications; Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint including Vlookups, pivot tables, data comparison tools
• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects
• Accountability for not only operation of departmental objectives, but cross functional team objectives & efficiencies. Understands up and downstream impacts and seeks to thoughtfully plan strategies for maximum return on minimal investment from cross functional teams
• Strong analytical and interpretative skills.
• Ability to become proficient in platforms such as D365 and Power BI

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Work environment will be on-site in Petaluma Headquarters with regular store visits to support our store locations product needs.

What’s in Friedman’s toolbox for Team Members:

• 401(k) match up to 3%
• Medical, Dental and Vision bundled benefit plan
• Team Member discount on all merchandise
• Casual dress code
• Tuition reimbursement to further career path

Friedman’s Home Improvement is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Friedman’s Home Improvement will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal convictions in a manner consistent with AB 1008.