Lifestyle Category Manager/Buyer - Deseret Book

Our company is committed to being trusted voices of light and truth reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Lifestyle Category Manager/Buyer

REPORTS TO  

Lifestyle Category Director

LOCATION  

Corporate Office  

Salt Lake City, UT  

STARTING DATE  

Immediately  

POSITION TYPE  

Full Time  

OUR COMPANY

Deseret Book Company is a mission-driven company building a culture that encourages diversity in thought, and product and experiences. Our mission is to create, publish, and deliver products and experiences that cultivate stories worth telling, questions worth exploring, and beauty worth sharing. 

We’re a company that understands each person we engage with is seeking something to help them find peace and comfort, learn, grow, and bring more light and spiritual truth into their lives. If you’re passionate about inspiring people to live better lives, then this is a place where you will find it.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the direction of the Lifestyle Category Director, this talented Lifestyle Category Manager/Buyer with a keen attention to detail and accuracy selects, purchases, and manages inventory for assigned categories. Categories for this position include jewelry, baptism, and missionary. Additional responsibilities include meeting sales, margin, and inventory goals for both Deseret Book and Seagull Book. Product development for assigned categories is also an important part of the job.

Successful candidates will understand the needs and culture of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and use that understanding when creating and buying products. Candidates will think analytically and creatively and collaborate well with others, being willing to give and receive focused feedback. The Category Manager will work closely with the Lifestyle Product Team, Supply Chain, Retail Store Managers, Marketing, and the Fulfillment Center.  

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

50% - Inventory selection and life-cycle management. This includes:

• Review, selection of, and initial orders placed for all products within assigned categories.
• Daily management of products within assigned categories.
• Analyze sales performance of products and manage product life cycle including returns to vendors and markdowns.
• Manage incoming product requests and monitor inventory levels on key products.
• Meet with vendors and manage vendor relationships.
• Understanding sales trends and forecasting/projecting sales for future products.

30% - Product Development: Develop new products or improve existing products within assigned categories so that customer needs are met more effectively.

• Brainstorm, collect and present initial product concepts to the Lifestyle Product Team, based on market needs and potential opportunities.
• Identify the manufacturer for the product.
• Assess the financial viability of the product, including production costs and, pricing strategy as part of the financial approval process.
• Collaborate well with internal designer(s) by outlining the project goals, target audience, and desired aesthetic before design begins.

• Gather feedback through the product development process to identify issues and make necessary improvements.
• Work with marketing, merchandising and ecommerce teams for successful product launch.

20% - Other responsibilities include:

• Catalog and store display recommendations in collaboration with the marketing/merchandising team.
• Educate other associates throughout the business about new and key products.  
• Actively monitor market trends, monitor social media platforms to identify trending topics, popular products, key influencers and content creators, participate in company sponsored focus groups, actively listen to customer and stakeholder feedback, and regularly review sales data to identify emerging trends and customer preferences.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or other business-related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 2 years retail experience
• Proficient with technology:  Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PowerBi, Advanced Excel skills
• Familiarity with supply chain systems and inventory management principles
• Strong understanding of financial principles and ability to analyze profitability and sales data.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong ability to analyze results, prioritize work, and organize time.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Great team player - works well in a collaborative environment.
• Self-motivator and great self-manager
• Ability to work under pressure and understands the importance of meeting deadlines.
• Prior purchasing experience and knowledge of industry trends
• Must be current on market trends and customer needs in conjunction with company mission, brand, and audience.

BENEFITS 

• Excellent medical, dental, and life insurance  
• 401(k) savings plan with company matching funds  
• Company-funded retirement plan  
• Merchandise discount  
• Discounted UTA Eco pass  
• Paid leave and holidays  
• Great work environment 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY

We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply. We're committed to building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are committed to a team and culture that embraces and celebrates diversity and inclusion without regard to race, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the State of Utah.

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