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Additional Purchasing Resume Samples
Assistant Buyer Resume Samples
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0-5 years of experience
Conducted inventory evaluations on over 2,000 SKUs, leading to the resolution of $10,000 worth of unaccounted merchandise
- Created purchase orders quickly and with a high degree of accuracy resulting in consistent stock replenishment and reducing stock-outs by 50% in 3 months
- Developed creative and compelling merchandise displays, increasing sales by 40%
- Increased productivity by 40% through setting merchandising goals for all part-time
- Forecasted needed art supply quantities by analyzing 2 years worth of sales history
0-5 years of experience
Built and sourced assortments for designer, celebrity, and proprietary Stainless Steel brand. Drove merchandising strategies, analyzed sales and margin performance and made recommendations to improve. Partnered with PR and Brand Marketing for placement in external/internal publications.
- Launched 8 new brands in Fashion Jewelry: Glow by Sheila Fajl, Arnold Scassi, Miriam Salat, Joan Boyce, and Lee Angel.
- Increased sales +32% over 2008 and +10% over plan for Q2 through relentless monitoring of category IMU, pricing by brand, and productivity analysis.
- Generated $319k in sales vs. a plan of $308k for R.J. Graziano Today’s Special (bracelet set) which was a total sell out.
0-5 years of experience
Analyzed sales reports, future planning, and assisted in multiply brands growth.
- Worked with vendor to obtain desired product assortment; negotiated cost to maximize profit margin.
- Managed an event that generated $100K, company’s 3rd highest record sale.
- Identified and reacted to trends; evaluated performance of each event to drive sales and increase margin plan.
- Managed and supervised the development and preparation of 60+ monthly events.
- Fostered vendor relationships to maximize contributions in creating and preparing events to go live.
- Coordinated with Marketing and Creative teams to present and strategize web/email placement of brands.
0-5 years of experience
Responsible for buying and managing the apothecary and luxury skincare treatment departments within 18 stores,
including the ecommerce site.
- Played a vital role in the development of approximately 65 brands, including the exclusive launches of Tatcha, Mila
- Maintained open to buy report and delivery log and managed receipt flow to ensure optimum sales and inventory results.
- Reviewed, processed and tracked monthly replenishment orders, as well as emergency orders when applicable.
- Ensured timely delivery of merchandise through consistent communication with vendors and distribution center.
- Generated and distributed weekly sales and style selling reports for the Divisional Merchandising Manager, General
- Conducted store meetings to discuss business opportunities, as well as to review space and visual presentations.
- Selected as a committee member in the development and implementation of the new EDI system within the buying
0-5 years of experience
Generated weekly and ad hoc financial reports to analyze sales and provide insight to successes and opportunities in marketing and advertising initiatives.
- Collaborated daily with the inventory, marketing, finance, and store operation teams to maximize efficiency and profitability of the Sears’ Fitness categories.
- Created, reviewed and executed in-store pricing and marketing promotions and strategies.
- Supported my buyer in generating sales forecasts, collecting vendor allowances, and planning product assortments.
- Successfully completed an intensive, six month Buyer Apprentice training program.
0-5 years of experience
Achieved sales volume of 6M in past 6months through optimal selection of product and pricing
- Negotiated pricing, selected assortments and reserved inventory with vendor partners
- Managed and grew vendor relationships including more efficient planning and scheduling of events
- Collaborated and lead multiple team events while effectively communicating cross- departments
- Gained strong understanding of merchandising financials and the ability to manage profitability
0-5 years of experience
- Successfully managed relationship with more than 60 artisanal vendors in women, men, home, kids and jewelry
- Collaborated with editorial department on email calendars and marketing strategies, increasing site visits by 70%
- Managed $500,000 worth of inventory and increased sell-through by 40% within 4 months
- Realized 30% more operational efficiency of product push-live process
- Analyzed sales and site performance through advanced reporting tools including Google Analytics
- Supervised website content and visual merchandising, improved SEO through optimizing product detail pages
0-5 years of experience
Assisted Merchandise Leader in driving $120M Bed & Bath Textiles tri-channel business
- Recapped sales/margin analysis and presented weekly business updates
- Identified new product opportunities based on RH selling trends and competitive market analysis
- Proofed and approved all copy for catalog, web, packaging and retail signage
- Managed catalog re-pagination and product order on Web, resulting in impactful sales growth
- Partnered with vendors to determine and enforce photo sample and production timelines
- Trained new Merchandise Coordinators and Assistant Buyers on internal reporting systems
0-5 years of experience
Assistant Buyer for all licensed sideline and performance apparel, and headwear for Barnes & Noble College. Planned, communicated, and implemented general merchandise assortments across multiple vendors to 745 college campus bookstores nation-wide.
- Monitored, managed, and executed sales and buying strategy for the 2014 College Football Playoffs for The Ohio State University Bookstore.
- Strategically planned and purchased Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas Sideline apparel for the Fall 2015 season, for over 40 colleges and universities.
- Assisted Barnes & Noble College Marketing Team in monthly email blasts and marketing strategies for new trends, student and fan outreach, and campus life.
- Responsible for surveying over 740 on-campus bookstores to obtain style knowledge, quarterly, in order to book account-only inventory with top vendors.
- Worked with Planning Team to create style budgets by vendor and store location for the 2015-2016 season.
- Implemented merchandising standards across all brands by store assortment level.
6-10 years of experience
Developed “trend right” assortment for Women’s contemporary shoes with annual sales volume $100 million. Planned and developed marketing strategies. Developed shoes with National Brand and Private Label suppliers.
- Buying team won Chairman’s Award in 2003 and 2004.
- Communicated with overseas offices in China, Brazil and Italy to ensure product met all specifications.
- Quick reaction to slow sellers, developed exit plan.
0-5 years of experience
Reacted to all the departments daily by looking at the competition, analyzing the reports and making business right decisions for product, marketing, promotions, and markdowns.
- Acted as Associate Buyer to Department TIK- Swim, PJs, Socks, Sunglasses, Swim running reports to analyze LY business and make buys based off of monthly selling, weekly selling, and size selling for TY buys.
- Communicated daily with vendors on product buys as well as following up on purchase orders.
- Presented analysis and gave trend right “BIG” ideas in weekly team meetings, marketing meetings, Best sellers monthly, and Style Outs quarterly in front of the CEO, DMM, Buyers and Assistants.
- Assisted in store merchandising updates and visual set changes for stores to execute to affect the consumers shopping experience.
- Trained Buyers and Assistant Buyers who were new to Spencers in business functions, department review, and product for several months.
0-5 years of experience
- Sourced new products and wrote purchase orders, designing a unique and complete assortment.
- Analyzed sales data and conducted competitor research to efficiently order merchandise.
- Helped to design layout and merchandised inventory in a 20,000+ foot department.
- Created and maintained product descriptions and images on company website.
- Built and maintained relationships with Brand Representative, allowing for promising partnerships.
6-10 years of experience
Reporting to the Senior buyer. Responsible for buying durable and non-durable goods, analyzing past buying trends, negotiating pricing contracts and authorizing payment.
- Examined, selected, ordered and purchased at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quality and specification requirements.
- Negotiated prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise.
- Analyzed and monitored sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, determined what the company would sell and how much inventory was needed.
- Interviewed and worked closely with vendors to obtain desired products.
- Authorized payment of invoices and return of merchandise.
0-5 years of experience
Planned and executed 70% of total monthly budget
- Brought in 5-7 new vendors monthly
- Analyzed sales results and made recommendations to suppliers
- Negotiated buying terms with suppliers and developed pipeline of sales events
- Collaborated with Planning Team to schedule sales ensuring calendar was full
- Analyze competitor offerings, marketing and pricing
- Create weekly sales reports to identify top vendors and SKUs
0-5 years of experience
- Compiled & evaluated daily, weekly, monthly, yearly reports to track sales across 16 stores for discussion with the Senior Buyer
- Researched and evaluated market trends through online sources, customer feedback, competitor shopping, and attending nationwide trade shows
- Negotiated with vendors to get the best offer for the off price designer market
- Temporarily filled in for buyer on maternity leave covering multiple accounts and maintaining a net of 20%
- Merchandised and distributed buys to stores for best selling results
- Implemented consolidations and markdowns to ensure higher gross margin
Assistant Buyer Duties and Responsibilities
We researched assistant buyer job descriptions to come up with the following list of core assistant buyer duties and responsibilities:
Monitor Inventory Assistant buyers constantly monitor their employer’s inventory, as it is their responsibility to keep stores fully stocked.
Compare Vendors Assistant buyers conduct the research that the store buyer depends upon to make good decisions. This includes researching market trends and conducting a cost-benefit analysis of potential vendors.
Participate in Vendor Meetings Assistant buyers hardly ever meet with vendors alone; they are part of the group that sits in on meetings. They take meeting notes and provide supplemental comments as the store buyer leads the negotiation process.
Place and Write Purchase Orders Placing orders and completing the corresponding paperwork is a task the store buyer delegates to an assistant buyer.
Advise Retail Locations on Price Points Assistant buyers use their knowledge of their company’s margins to advise retail locations on proper pricing strategy. This requires them to continuously monitor the market trends in their industry.
Assistant Buyer Skills
Assistant buyers have to be experts in the products they’re buying. Fashion buyers are experts on textiles, while construction buyers are experts on building materials. Assistant buyers conduct market research and cost-benefit analysis to compare vendors. Possessing an analytical mind and a passion for staying current on the trends within their industry, assistant buyers should also be good listeners and good communicators to assist the store buyer in negotiating with vendors. In addition to these traits and areas of knowledge, the following skills are required to succeed as an assistant buyer:
- Analyzing market trends to help retail locations determine pricing strategies
- Monitoring inventory using inventory management software and placing orders as necessary
- Crafting and proofreading purchase orders
- Conducting cost-benefit analysis on various vendors using a strong attention to detail to make sure all the figures are correct
- Participating in vendor negotiations based on needs of store buyer
Assistant Buyer Education and Training
The education requirement for assistant buyers varies depending on the industry. Employers in the manufacturing industry prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree in business, business economics, or a related field. In the merchandising industry, employers may hire assistant buyers who only have a high school diploma if they have retail experience. Since this is an entry-level position, many skills and areas of knowledge are honed through on-the-job training.
Assistant Buyer Salary
According to Payscale, the national median salary for assistant buyers is $44,850. Those in the top 10 percent make above $60,733, while those in the bottom 10 percent make below $$32,831.
Assistant Buyer Resources
Are you interested in learning more about the world of purchasing? If so, check out the list of resources below.
American Purchasing Society – The American Purchasing Society is the go-to organization for buyers and purchasing agents of all kinds. It offers in-person seminars and professional development workshops at chapter locations around the country. It also offers various certifications that can help assistant buyers advance in their career. The website has an educational resources section that has lists of books, websites, and webinars to teach and reinforce skills relevant to assistant buyers.
Pocket Handbook for Assistant Buyers: A-Z of Textile Terms – This book was written by a college professor who realized a need among her students. She saw them struggle with memorizing all the various textile terms, so she wrote a reference book covering these terms from A to Z. This is the perfect book for assistant buyers looking to work in the fashion industry.
My Career in the Fashion Industry: An Insider’s Guide on How to Become a Buyer – This book is based on the author’s 15 years of experience working as an assistant buyer, buyer, and
purchasing manager within the fashion industry. Her strategy is based on experiences that worked for her. It is another great read for any assistant buyer who aspires to work in the fashion industry.
Fashion Buyer (Fashion and Information Series Book 2) – This book extensively covers all aspects of being a
fashion buyer. It has a section that covers the most common assistant buyer interview questions and how to answer these questions strategically.