Associate Buyer, Shoes (Hybrid) at Belk in Charlotte, NC

Summary: Belk is a retail company seeking an Associate Buyer for their Shoes department. The Associate Buyer will be responsible for driving merchandise strategy and managing the purchasing and negotiation of products to meet sales and margin targets. Responsibilities: - Develop and execute merchandise strategies and assortment plans, based on customer feedback and preferences, to deliver financial goals and business objectives - Collaborate with Buyer and Planner on development of merchandise financial plans and by-door plans by providing regular and timely input; assist in building clusters and determining assortment layers - Build and maintain strong partnerships with vendors - Select merchandise; negotiate best costs and delivery of product - Identify business opportunities and risks in-season through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information; implement strategies to ensure plans are achieved - Analyze the business to identify trends and capitalize on opportunities - Execute advertising strategies - Build a high-quality merchant team by developing partnerships, leading, coaching and providing constructive feedback - Travels to all necessary markets and store trips - Builds and maintains productive relationships with peers and members of the merchant team - Analyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and class - Reacts to business trends in a timely and efficient manner - Maintains professionalism in work relationships and habits - Provides direction, counseling and coaching to staff - Develops creative solutions to business issues - Works effectively with staff and Divisional/BSS management to achieve sound financial and merchandising solutions based on analysis, input and experience - Identifies emerging trends and shops competition and market regularly - Communicates effectively with stores and vendors - Requires designated hybrid in-office work schedule Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent years of experience - 1-3 years of retail buying experience required - Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills - Is highly organized and able to multitask - Builds and maintains productive relationships with peers and members of the merchant team - Demonstrates leadership and decision-making skills - Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills - Analyzes business to the lowest level to identify opportunities in sales, inventory, and margin by store, department, and class - Reacts to business trends in a timely and efficient manner - Adapts to shifting circumstances in a business environment - Possesses strong merchandising, product and marketing skills - Proficient in business-related computer software (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, etc.) Required Skills: Merchandising, Product knowledge, Marketing, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel