Merchandise Buyer - Loves Travel Stops & Country Store

Req ID: 446350 

Benefits: Paid Time Off, 401(k) – 100% Match up to 5%, Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, Tuition Assistance Program, Hiring Immediately

ABOUT THE POSITION: The Merchant is responsible for leading the selection and purchasing of products that align with the company’s sales strategy and customer preferences. This role involves analyzing market trends, forecasting demand, negotiating with suppliers, and managing inventory to ensure optimal stock levels and profitability. By reviewing and interpreting market and customer insight data, the Merchant builds strategic plans that enhance the department’s competitive advantages. This position is a mid-senior-level role designed for individuals with experience as a Merchant or category manager. This full-time position is located at Love's corporate office in Oklahoma City.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee assigned categories within the Merchandise Department.
• Full ownership to develop, plan, and implement multi-year strategic plans for given categories as a merchandise buyer.
• Leverage data and resources to make informed product-level and category-level decisions. Regularly review data to measure impacts of implemented strategies.
• Deploy tests (product, fixture, vendor, distribution, etc.) and measure success metrics.
• Strategize, manage, support private brand consumable products. Work with Brand Managers to develop strategies for assortment, price, and promotion.
• As the retail buyer / merchant this position will own the 4 P’s of Marketing for given categories (product, place, price, promotion).
• Develop & improve a set review process/Joint Business Planning Process (JBP)/LAB (yearly planning) for the merchandising department.
• Responsible for providing year-over-year growth and for exceeding budget and P&L goals.
• Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional team leaders. Partner with marketing, support, and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies and campaigns.
• Evaluate and select vendors based on performance metrics, quality standards, and cost-effectiveness. Own relationships of higher volume vendors, keeping the Supervisor/Manager informed of recent developments, challenges, support needed.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, trends, and recommendations.
• Manage, train, and develop Merchandise Planners.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Experience:
  • 2+ years in retail merchandising is required.
  • Experience managing vendor relations, 3rd party suppliers, distributors required.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) required.
  • Experience with supervising team members is preferred.
  • Accounts Receivable/Rebate experience a plus.
  • SAP, back office systems experience a plus.
  • C-Store experience a plus.
  • Product and brand development experience ideal.
• Skills:
  • Hard skills: Knowledgeable and proficient within Microsoft Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint etc), Data Tools
  • Soft Skills: Stable work history, good written and verbal communications skills, team player, attention to detail, self-motivated and responsible, ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment and strong analytical skills

This full time position is located at Love's Corporate Headquarters in Oklahoma City. This is an in-office/onsite position.

Job Function(s): Corporate 

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with more than 630 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

The Love’s Family of Companies includes:

• Gemini Motor Transport, one of the industry’s safest trucking fleets.
• Speedco and Love’s Truck Care, the largest oil change and preventive maintenance and total truck care network.
• Musket, a rapidly growing, Houston-based commodities supplier and trader.
• Trillium, a Houston-based alternative fuels expert.
• TVC Pro-driver, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) protection subscription service.