Associate Buyer

At The 99 Store you’ll find a career that is more than just a job. We promise to provide you with the opportunity, and we will empower you to make it your own and run with it.

Our Story:
The 99 Stores is a leading premium value retail chain that exists to provide the communities we serve an exciting primary shopping destination for our price savvy enthusiasts. We have over 386 retail stores in CA, NV, AZ, and TX and counting! Our categories grow day by day, and we are a one-stop destination for fresh produce, grocery, home goods, electronics, toys, home decor, party supplies, stationary, and so much more!

Summary

The Associate Buyer will be responsible purchasing for a specific category/category for all stores to maximize revenue and margin.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellence and discipline throughout the buying process (negotiations, work ethic, standards of behavior).
Drive departmental ownership and P&L mentality for product purchased.
Become a key participant and core team member for implementation of the merchandising direction.
Drive store level merchandising for your categories (end-cap directives, planograms).
Drive optimal pricing / service level combination for your categories (buy direct, continue to negotiate, plan substitutes for price increases, always have and continue to find new sources, know your categories).
Develop relationships with all major vendors/manufacturers in your categories.
Identify and build relationships with new vendors to continue to deliver exciting merchandise.
Work on imports and product development to drive improved values, margins, improved packaging, and other exciting products.
Gain insight and develop strong understanding of our customer base for your categories.
Identify and stay ahead of trends.
Ensure your categories have key items and offer appropriate selection and value to the consumer.
Abide to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy.
Ensure compliance with internal controls as applicable to your function within the organization.
behavior).
Drive departmental ownership and P&L mentality for product purchased.
Become a key participant and core team member for implementation of the merchandising system.
Drive store level merchandising for your categories (end-cap directives, register program, signage…)
Drive optimal pricing / service level combination for your categories (buy direct, continue to negotiate, plan substitutes for price increases, always have and continue to find new sources, know your categories…).
Develop relationships with all major vendors/manufacturers in your categories.
Effectively buy for multiple regions (ex: Commerce and TX, + eventual new regions).
Key decision maker for buying decisions.
Identify and build relationships with new vendors to continue to deliver exciting merchandise at the right price in the right place at the right time (re-orderable).
Work with the import and product development departments to drive improved values, margins, improved packaging and other exciting products.
Gain insight and develop strong understanding of our customer base for your categories in each relevant region.
Identify and stay ahead of trends.
Assess profitability and optimize mix of Branded and Private label products for your categories.
Rationalize duplicate or nonproductive SKU’s in your categories and replace with more productive SKU’s.
Ensure your categories have key items and offer appropriate selection and value to the consumer.
Abide to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy.
Ensure compliance with internal controls as applicable to your function within the organization

Qualifications

Minimum Required Experience/ Skills/Knowledge: (Please List)
3+ years of experience in merchandising.
Replenishment buying experience preferred.
Buying experience preferred.
Knowledge of retail math.
Ability to be a change agent and not get easily frustrated with external and internal obstacles. Must have the attitude and aptitude to overcome.
Ability to network and cultivate relationships.
Understanding of regulatory requirements (Prop 65, FDA, USDA).
Data management/analytical aptitude (profitability, SKU rationalization, OOS management, KPI’s).
A.A.degree preferred

Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000 (Depending on Experience)

Competencies

Customer Focus, Action Oriented, Resilient

99 Cents Only Stores is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.