Associate Buyer at World Market in Alameda, CA

Who We Are

For over 60 years we have shared stories from across the globe that remind you of a time you cherish, a place you love and people who make you feel at home. We have inspired the home decorator, entertainer, and gift giver with our unique assortment of products sourced and designed around the world and we continue to be inspired by you.

What You Will Do

You will become part of a dynamic Merchandising team and build relationships with external and internal partners as you learn about our business.   As an Associate Buyer, you will be responsible for supporting the Buyer’s activities to drive our business, including developing unique product assortments for our omni-channel business through analysis, trend research and international sourcing.  You will also personally be responsible for managing a department or multiple categories and have financial accountability for all key metrics.

In this role, you will:

Understand the Critical Aspects of the Business and Category

• Develop business acumen and demonstrate an understanding of key metrics and levers of the overall business.

• Take responsibility for key financials and reporting, including weekly analysis and business summaries. You will also provide recommendations on the business.

• Understand your competition and the market in general.

• Speak confidently about product vision and category performance.

• Actively manage the business both in forward planning and in-season execution.

Own a department or category

• Strategically create assortments that achieve financial goals.

• Develop core and seasonal products which excite our customers.

• Build assortment plans with your Inventory Management partner, using trend research, comp shopping, and analyzing current and past business.

• Create and manage the Product Development process with vendor partners: provide design inspiration and product direction, negotiate costs.

• Support Inventory Management Partners in Open to Buy (OTB) and Buy Plans for designated category or department(s).

• Provide Inventory Management with final assortment plans (line lists), product details, retails, estimated IMU, importance to overall assortment (SKU ranking) and floor plan location for developing purchase projections and buy plans. Update document and ensure accuracy.

• Propose and manage promotional strategies to maximize sales and profitability.

Manage the administrative detail of assortment management

• Responsible for preparing and presenting new Product Reviews.

• Collaborate with Visual, Inventory Management, and Ecom partners to determine photography, signage and copy needs, product placement, and schematic accuracy.

• Maintain the department’s active items documentation.

• Manage vendor relationships and follow-up actions around products including requesting samples and handling quality assurance issues.

• Own the sample management process: tracking, unpacking, organizing, and purging discontinued samples as well as pulling samples for Marketing, Visual and eCommerce.

What You Will Bring

• Passion for the business.

• A high level of intellectual capacity, agility, and curiosity.

• Strong team collaboration skills.

• Awareness of the marketplace and trends.

• Ability to travel domestically and possibly internationally to vendor shows, showrooms, and factories.

• An enthusiasm for travel and exploring.

• Excellent analytical, planning, and time management skills.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Resourcefulness and creative problem solving.

• Minimum 3 years buying experience with a multi-unit retailer in a merchandise capacity.

• Proficient in MS Office with advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint skills.

• Ability to lift and move boxes.

• Work Location: Hybrid. You will spend up to 3 days per week on average at our Alameda, CA Home Office.

Why We Love It

• Work life balance is a priority (work from home flexibility).

• Up to 30% employee discount and product sample sales!

• A fun and supportive work environment where you feel welcome and safe. 

• A culture of inclusion that empowers you to be your best authentic self.

• Opportunities to make an impact through your passions.

• Wellness Program including virtual fitness classes, personal health advocates, coaches, gym discounts and more.

• Accrued Vacation, Sick Time and Personal Holidays.  

• Eligible employees offered Medical and Dental Insurance, Vision Coverage, 401(k) Savings Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance and more.

CA Pay Range is $80,000-$90,000 annually

#LI-LO1

#LI-Hybrid

If you need reasonable accommodations to complete the on-line application, please contact the Human Resource Department:

Phone: 1-833-680-2399

Email: hrsupport@worldmarket.com

This email address is only to request reasonable accommodation for the application process due to a medical condition. If you do not need a reasonable accommodation for such reason, please use the apply button below to complete an application and upload your resume.
 

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable laws, which depending on your location may include the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the Los Angeles City Fair Chance Act.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of World Market, LLC. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our associates and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, employment status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.