Job Summary:

The Senior Buyer in Sports and Supplement area is directly responsible for vendor relations, negotiations, procurement, pricing, and promotions of brands/products. In addition, the Senior Buyer may also be responsible for hiring, managing, and mentoring activities and development of Buyers/Jr. Buyers. This role is the third step in the buying progression (after Buyer) and is responsible for large volume and highly visible suppliers.  

  Position: Must be located in Southern California                                                                                                                   

Job Expectations:

• Work closely with Category Manager and Senior Management to ensure all are aligned on business strategies, short and long-term growth objectives
• Directly responsible  for key category metrics (KPIs) for the following: new and existing brands, new products, pricing, margin, promotions, and product life cycle
• Negotiate with vendors to secure exceptional everyday pricing, promotional dollars, special opportunity buys, rebates, growth incentives, delivery, and payment terms
• Administer and manage RFQ packages, execution of contracts, product evaluation, quality issues; create and maintain supplier, product database
• Drive new product/brand onboarding process to ensure timely and quick to site/market
• Build, edit and maintain assortment to create market advantage while reflecting customer needs/requests and adhering to iHerb model
• Calculate, maintain and approve critical cost and pricing changes in the system to ensure desired mark-ups, margin 
• Manage and develop strong vendor relations through regular and consistent communication to ensure a clear understanding of short/long-term goals and capabilities
• Coordinate with Planning Team and Replenishment Buyers in managing inventory turns, service level, order cycles, deal implementation and general supply chain practices
• Create, review and utilize reports to enable in-depth analysis of category successes/challenges 
• Develop promotional co-op activities that are profitable and highly effective in conjunction with Marketing 

The duties and responsibilities described above may provide only a partial description of this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all aspects of the job.  Other duties and responsibilities not outlined in this document may be added as necessary or desirable, with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

   Required:      

• Strong, successful and proven negotiating skills
• Strong analytical, data management and decision-making abilities
• Strong mathematical skills with an understanding of retail pricing concepts
• Ability to communicate written and verbally in a professional manner with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts
• Great attention to detail, highly organized with strong project management skills  
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, problem solve and prioritize with an awareness of deadlines

Equipment Knowledge:

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with Google Business Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) preferred
• WMS, EDI, NetSuite, Tableau experience a plus

Experience Requirements:

Generally, requires a minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in buying in Sports and Supplement areaor directly related role with equivalent responsibilities, preferably in an e-commerce environment with natural products experience a plus.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field preferred, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.

Judgment/Reasoning Ability:  Able to identify, troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly using sound judgment, poise and diplomacy.  Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills, and determine when to escalate issues, as required, in a timely manner.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to talk and hear. The Team Member is frequently required to sit, walk, climb stairs, use hands and fingers, bend, stoop and reach with hands and arms.  Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the work day.  The Team Member may occasionally lift or move office products and supplies up to 25 pounds.  Proper lifting techniques required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:  The noise in the work environment is usually moderate.  Other factors are:

• Hectic, fast-paced with multi-level distractions
• Professional, yet casual work environment
• Office / Warehouse environment
• Ability to work extended hours as required

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