Mens Buyer I

Summary

Teammates in the Men’s Buyer 1 role perform responsibilities under direct supervision and are responsible for managing basic issues and problems in selecting and purchasing apparel and accessories that align with Buckle’s brand identity, target audience, and sales goals. This role combines market analysis, trend forecasting, vendor negotiations, and performance oversight to ensure a compelling product assortment. Success in this position requires a deep understanding of fashion trends, consumer behavior, and strategic vendor relationships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This description intends to describe the general nature and level of work performed by Teammates assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties, responsibilities and qualifications. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Product Buying and Development

• Develop cross-category expertise to effectively collaborate with other with Teammates and contribute to the buying strategy.
  
• Conduct comprehensive trend research, analyze guest preferences, and monitor competitor activities to inform purchasing strategies.
• Curate an assortment of products that reflects the brand's aesthetic and appeals to the target market.
• Manage the product assortment plan, ensuring diversity in style, sizes, and colors to meet guest needs.
• Negotiate with vendors on terms, pricing, and delivery schedules to maximize value and profitability.
• Review and approve development samples to ensure compliance with brand standards and expectations.
• Collaborate with vendors to develop exclusive products and private-label items, including overseeing tech pack communication.

Vendor Relationship Management

• Negotiate pricing, shipping terms, and promotional allowances to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Evaluate vendor performance on quality, delivery, and pricing, making recommendations for improvements or changes as necessary.
• Provide clear guidance and directives to vendors for product development and purchasing initiatives.

Collaboration and Communication

• Provide regular updates and escalate and resolve issues as needed, keeping management and relevant teams informed.
• Conduct regular store visits to collaborate with team members and assess product performance.
• Partner with the Product Information and Visual Merchandising Teams to support product launches and promotions.
• Collaborate with the Allocation Team to refine distribution strategies and ensure inventory optimization.

Trend Analysis and Reporting

• Review sales reports, compliance issues, and product flow to identify performance gaps and opportunities.
• Stay informed on emerging fashion trends, materials, and technologies by attending fashion weeks and industry events.
• Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and sales performance to provide actionable insights and identify buying opportunities.

Budget and Inventory Management

• Manage the buying budget to ensure alignment with financial goals and corporate strategies.
• Monitor inventory levels and adjust buying strategies to optimize stock turnover and minimize excess inventory.
• Partner with the Allocations Team to streamline product distribution and maintain stock flow efficiency.

Leadership

• Lead the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of assigned product categories.
• Supervise and mentor Buyer Support and Assistant Buyer Teammates, ensuring team alignment and growth.

General Responsibilities

• Fulfill mission statement by performing job duties with a high level of customer service while contributing to a positive team spirit.
• Uphold and promote Buckle’s image, philosophy and goals to both Guests and Teammates.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides day-to-day leadership for Teammates in subordinate roles, as well as leadership of team projects within the Merchandising Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work, and addressing complaints and resolving problems. Responsibilities may also include interviewing, hiring, and training Teammates, appraising performance, and rewarding and disciplining Teammates.

Education and/or Experience

• Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school (or equivalent experience).
• Two to three years of progressive experience and/or training.
• Previous experience in an Assistant Buyer or Associate Buyer role is required.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Analytical and detail-oriented mindset with the ability to assess sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, word, Outlook) and familiarity with inventory management and retail software systems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and make data-driven decisions.
• Deep understanding of fashion trends, consumer behavior, and market dynamics.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the Teammate is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The Teammate is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The Teammate must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Willingness to travel domestically to meet with vendors and attend industry events, as needed, and ability to operate a motor vehicle and complete errands based on business needs.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the Teammate regularly works in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Buckle is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified Teammates from the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Equal employment opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at Buckle, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination and retaliation because of veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, national origin or ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law. For state specific information, refer to the Teammate Center.     

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