Location: Moscow

Division/College: Auxiliary Services-MID

Employee Category: Classified

Pay Range: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Position Summary:
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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:
Buyer/Merchandiser I:

• 6 months of experience buying and selling in a retail setting.
• 2 years customer service experience.
• Associates 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 drivers license and able to successfully pass a drivers 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:

• Bachelors 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 drivers license and able to successfully pass a drivers 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.

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.

Required Licensures, Certifications or other

Posting Number: SP003917P

Posting Date: 05/08/2023

Closing Date: 5/22/2023

Open Until Filled: No

Special Instructions:
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.

Background Check: Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

To apply, please visit: jobs.uidaho.edu

EEO Statement
University of Idaho is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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