Buyer/Merchandiser I or II

Position Details
Position Information
Internal Posting?
Posting Number
SP003917P
Position Title
Buyer/Merchandiser I or II
Division/College
Auxiliary Services-MID
Department
University Bookstore
Location
Moscow
Posting Context Statement
VandalStore Mission and producing the core outcomes: Student Success, Customer Experience, Great Product, and Great Environment.
Position Overview
The Buyer/Merchandiser I and II report up to the Director of the VandalStore. Buyer/Merchandiser I is responsible for assisting the Buyer II and management with all functions related to product selection, analysis, execution, and communication to support the VandalStores General Merchandise (GM) strategy and goals of ensuring that the VandalStores (including multiple off-site locations and facilities) are a self-sustaining partner within the University of Idaho. The Buyer/Merchandiser II is part of the leadership team and ensures that the VandalStores (including multiple off-site locations and facilities) are a self-sustaining partner within the University of Idaho. This position will also oversee the buying positions for the general merchandise area.
Buyer/Merchandiser I position individually and as part of a team, serves as a general merchandise buying team liaison, representative for departments and colleges across UI campus(es) and with external constituents including students, alumni, and vendor reps. They apply excellent customer service skills to fulfil requests, resolve issues and assist customers with questions.
Duties may include:

• Work the sales floor by maintaining an appealing sales floor- including creating displays, facing, shelving, filling in, arranging, cleaning, and organizing GM product and space within the stores.
• Assist with the development of the product mix and assortment by store and channel. Manage assigned key categories and classes within the GM department including replenishment, new product, and merchandising launches within their scope of responsibility.
• Assist with translating business strategies into an assortment plan that will drive sales, increase customer satisfaction, and expand store traffic.
• Assist with the goals of revenue, profitability, sell through, turns, GMROI, margins, and customer success set by the leadership team. Completing GM pricing, promotions, and markdowns in the system as directed.
• Assist with the creation of accurate and timely purchase orders, confirming proper product allocation direction.
• Help ensure purchases are meeting specified quantity and delivery expectation to maximize overall growth projections (turns) while minimizing stock outs.
• Helping with opening/closing duties based on the needs of the business.
• Provide excellent customer service to all customers including those with charge-to accounts and custom orders to ensure overall customer satisfaction.
• Other duties as assigned.

Buyer/Merchandiser II position individually and as part of a team, serves as the primary general merchandise buying team liaison, representative for departments and colleges across UI campus(es) and with external constituents including students, alumni, and vendor reps.
Duties may include:

• Work the sales floor by maintaining an appealing sales floor- including creating displays, facing, shelving, filling in, arranging, cleaning, and organizing GM product and space within the stores.
• Development and management of the product mix and assortment by store and channel. Managing replenishment, new product, and merchandising launches.
• Translation of business strategies into an assortment plan that will drive sales, increase customer satisfaction, and expand store traffic.
• Meet goals of revenue, profitability, sell through, turns, GMROI, margins, and customer success set by the leadership team. Completing GM pricing, promotions, and markdowns in the system.
• Creating accurate and timely purchase orders. Directing proper product allocation direction.
• Ensure purchases are meeting specified quantity and delivery expectation to maximize overall growth projections (turns) while minimizing stock outs.
• Helping with opening/closing duties based on the needs of the business.
• Provide excellent customer service to all customers including those with charge-to accounts and custom orders to ensure overall customer satisfaction.
• Train and supervision of employees (including TH and interns), mentor and developing staff skills and instilling a strong commitment to quality of work, customer service and communication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Unit URL
Home | The VandalStoreAuxiliary Services - Division of Finance and Administration | University of Idaho (uidaho.edu)
Position Qualifications
Required Experience
Buyer/Merchandiser I:

• One year of retail/customer service experience.

Work experience:

• Coordinating and implementing programs/projects.

Buyer/Merchandiser II:

• Two years buying and selling in a retail setting.
• Customer service experience.

Work experience:

• Providing instruction, participating in or leading a team, or delegating duties and responsibilities to others.
• Coordinating and implementing programs/projects.
• Inventory control procedures and maintaining inventory records.
• Composing a variety of business documents.

Required Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Required Other

• Work a nonstandard schedule as needed which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and special events.
• Occasional travel to satellite locations outside of Moscow, sometimes requiring overnight stay.

Additional Preferred
Buyer/Merchandiser I:

• 6 months of experience buying and selling in a retail setting.
• 2 years customer service experience.
• Associate's degree or higher.
• Strong customer service orientation with the commitment and drive sales through all channels.
• Excellent verbal and written communications and the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences.
• Possess a valid driver's license and able to successfully pass a driver's record check.

Work experience:

• Managing, training, and supervising staff and/or student employees
• With cash handling.
• Merchandising.
• With demonstrated excellent organization and attention to detail.
• With POS/Inventory control systems.
• With demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Working in a multi-task environment.
• Using computers to communicate with email, enter, retrieve, and edit data.

Buyer Merchandiser II:

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• One year of experience buying in a retail setting.
• 3 years customer service experience.
• Strong customer service orientation with the commitment and drive sales through all channels.
• Excellent verbal and written communications and the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences.
• Possess a valid driver's license and able to successfully pass a driver's record check.

Work experience:

• Buying for multiple locations.
• With cash handling including opening and closing a retail location(s).
• With demonstrated excellent organization and attention to detail.
• Merchandising including e-commerce.
• With demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• With demonstrated attention to detail with the ability to manage many projects simultaneously.
• Setting and following a budget.
• With POS/Inventory control systems.
• Managing, training, and supervising staff and/or student employees.
• Coordinating and implementing programs/projects.
• With inventory control procedures and maintaining inventory records, composing a variety of business documents.
• Working in a multi-task environment.
• Using computers to communicate with email, enter, retrieve, and edit data.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to bend, stoop, lift, carry and/or otherwise move items weighing up to approximately 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to move about and between venues for extended periods of time up to a full day of work.

Degree Requirement
N/A: No degree requirement
Posting Information
FLSA Status
Overtime Eligible
Employee Category
Classified
Pay Range
Commensurate with experience
Type of Appointment
Fiscal Year
FTE
1
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Funding
A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy.
No
Posting Date
05/08/2023
Closing Date
05/22/2023
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
In your letter of qualification, using details and examples, please address all of the required and preferred qualifications for this position and how your experience and skills align. The information provided in your letter of qualification will be used to determine eligibility for an interview and demonstrate your communications skills.
Applicant Resources
https://www.uidaho.edu/human-resources/careers/applicant-resources
Background Check Statement
Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
EEO Statement
The University of Idaho (U of I) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, U of I does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, genetic information or status as any protected veteran or military status in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions and educational programs.