Merchandise Buyer II - Clothing & Accessories at Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322
About the Job
Merchandise Buyer II - Clothing & Accessories
Requisition ID: 2024-8323
# of Openings: 1
Location: US-UT-Logan
Category: Purchasing
Position Type: Benefited Full-Time
Job Classification: Exempt
College: Auxiliary Enterprises
Department: Campus Store
Advertised Salary: Minimum $43,888; Commensurate on experience, plus excellent benefits
Overview
Reporting to the Associate Director, Merchandise Buyer II is responsible for selecting, purchasing, and managing branded clothing and accessories for the USU Campus Store. This role requires a keen understanding of fashion trends, branding, and the preferences of the college community. The Buyer works closely with vendors to source high-quality, fashionable collegiate apparel that reflects the spirit and identity of USU.
Responsibilities
- Product Selection: Identify and select merchandise that aligns with the needs and preferences of the USU community
- Vendor Management: Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating prices, terms, and delivery schedules to ensure the best deals
- Inventory Management: Monitor stock levels, manage purchase orders, and ensure that inventory is aligned with sales forecasts and open to buy to avoid overstock or stockouts
- Trend Analysis: Stay updated on market trends, customer preferences, and seasonal demands to make informed purchasing decisions
- Budget Management: Ensure that purchases are within budget and contribute to the budgetary expectations
- Sales Performance: Analyze sales and open to buy data to assess the performance of merchandise and adjust purchasing strategies as needed
- Marketing Collaboration: Work closely with the marketing team to promote new products, seasonal items, and special promotions
- Compliance: Ensure that all merchandise complies within USU trademark and licensing standards
- Travel: Must be willing and able to make 5-7 out of state buying trips per year, whether individually or with a group
- Other duties as assigned
Scotsman Sweets
- Product Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and select a diverse range of sweets, chocolates, candies, and other confections from various suppliers and vendors
- Fudge Preparation: Measure, mix, and cook fudge ingredients following established recipes to produce consistent, high-quality fudge in various flavors
- Recipe Development: Experiment with new flavors and variations to expand the shop's product offerings while maintaining quality standards
- Presentation: Display fudge in an attractive way that entices customers to sample and purchase
- Inventory Management: Conduct monthly inventory of Scotsman Sweets prepared food items and raw goods and ensure ingredients are fresh and available
- Operational Management: Ensure the shop operates within health code requirements, maintain equipment, and train and guide employees to ensure best customer service practices
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent (preferably in business, design or related field) plus two years retail buying or visual merchandising experience
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple product categories and vendors simultaneously with attention to detail and accuracy
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to analyze sales data, market trends, and student preferences to make informed purchasing decisions.
- Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable terms and pricing with vendors.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with vendors, store staff, and customers.
- Experience in managing budgets and working to achieve financial goals.
- Familiarity with inventory management software and point-of-sale systems, preferably NetSuite
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Minimum $43,888; Commensurate on experience, plus excellent benefits
ADA
Must be able to move freely throughout the store, including reaching, bending, and lifting items up to 40 pounds. Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is also regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students https://statewide.usu.edu/locations/, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah's counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.
Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named https://www.usu.edu/today/story/usu-named-best-employer-in-utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.
About the Region
U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU's main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute's 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation.
*updated 04/2024
To apply, visit https://careers-usu.icims.com/jobs/8323/merchandise-buyer-ii---clothing-%26-accessories/job?in_iframe=1
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu , Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu , Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu /, or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov