Merchandise Buyer

OVERVIEW Are you interested in joining the Toronto Blue Jays Merchandise Buying Team? This is your chance The Toronto Blue Jays are looking for a Merchandise Buyer
Reporting to the Manager, Buying, the Merchandise Buyer will be setting and managing the merchandise strategy, assortment selection, pricing, and promotions to facilitate sales. As a Merchandise Buyer, you will manage product selection to maximize sales and margin dollars in support of the business and financial goals of your respective merchandising categories. This role collaborates closely with retail and warehouse operations to ensure proper execution of the Toronto Blue Jays Merchandising department and corporate initiatives
This role may be for you if :

• You enjoy motivating, energizing, and inspiring others.
• You are hands-on and unafraid of taking on new challenges.
• You thrive in fast paced, high-volume working environments.
• You love the Toronto Blue Jays!

RESPONSIBILITIES Financial Planning & Category Strategy

• In collaboration with the Manager, Buying, build and execute category merchandise strategy, assortment selection, pricing, and promotions to support the business and financial goals - facilitate sales, manage inventory, and deliver profit margin.
• Curate, execute and manage product mix for each store location, while ensuring the essence of the assortment is represented in each store location.
• Quantify optimal depth, breadth, and store distribution of each style to achieve full sales and profitability with the product lifecycle.
• Partner with Planning to manage monthly open-to-buy to forecast sales, inventory, receipts, and profitability.
• Prepare seasonal planograms to support visual merchandising initiatives for all Jays Shop locations.
• Ensure timely delivery of merchandise, initiate cancellations, or negotiate discounts on late deliveries as appropriate and manage key relationships with licensees.

Drive Sales, Profit, and Support Inventory Management Strategies

• Communicate product vision to Retail, Marketing, and other departments on a seasonal basis, and as required in season.
• Support retail stores on product information, presentation guidelines, and inventory needs.
• Assess SKU productivity by visiting store locations to audit product assortment, allocation, visual set up and presentation.
• Analyze and prepare markdown/write-off/RTVs with Vendors to support exit strategies and inventory aging standards within a category.
• Participate in recommending, setting, and approving product pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives, implement exit strategies and recommend appropriate markdowns.
• Analyze economic, financial, market, competitive/noncompetitive and industry data to assess current business strategies or identify future business opportunities.
• Stay informed on all player call-ups and team performance, to contribute to the success of the business.
• Communicate and liaise with the Merchandise Coordinator and Warehouse team as it applies to the purchase, delivery, receipt, ticketing, processing, pricing, and quality of merchandise.

Vendor Management & Internal Partner Collaboration

• With coaching, lead, develop, and manage vendor relationships to ensure the best prices, products, and shipments; identify products to maximize promotional and marketing strategies to meet sales and margin goals.
• In collaboration with the Manager, Buying, lead negotiation of new vendor contract terms.
• Negotiate return to vendor (RTV), markdown dollars, and discounts.
• Act as the liaison between merchandising and internal partners to support partnership merchandising requests.

Reporting

• Create and analyze business reports, Open-to-Buy (OTB), Assortment Plans, Open Orders, and Category sales reports to drive successful category performance.
• Optimize sales, inventory levels (product & store) and gross margin dollars by analyzing, evaluating, recommending, negotiating, and executing adjustments as needed with stakeholders (sr. managers, vendors, planning team, retail team, warehouse team).

QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate must be able to work all 81 home games (evenings, weekends, and holidays) and other Rogers Centre concerts/events as required
YOU HAVE/ARE:

• Passion and knowledgeable about the Sport of Baseball, have a love for fashion and you embody the Blue Jays brand.
• Minimum two (2) years of Merchandising, Buying or Category Management experience.
• Expert knowledge and successful application of purchasing principles and practices; has a strong financial acumen, must understand, and drive financial KPIs including sales, gross profit, and inventory.
• In-depth analytical skills and are detail oriented.
• Effective negotiation skills and actively control the negotiation process that results in mutually beneficial outcomes to build strong vendor relationship.
• Strong leadership to motivate, develop staff and sustain an effective team.
• Ability to collaborate with other departments/organizations by positively impacting and influencing others.
• Ability to work autonomously to provide recommendations and make impactful business decisions.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure, meet all deadlines and thrive in a result driven environment.
• Self-Motivated, demonstrate initiative, have superior organizational skills and are open to feedback.
• Clear interpersonal, communication and presentation skills with team members, leadership and vendors.
• Ability to travel within Canada and the USA.
• Ability to work all 81 home games and concerts/events (as needed) – specifically Opening Day, Canada Day, Pride, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Double headers, and concerts.

WHAT WE OFFER TO YOU

• Commitment to our team - we want you to succeed!
• Ongoing, hands-on training to help you develop your skills.
• Excellent employee discount to use towards Blue Jays gear.
• A unique employment experience working for the only MLB team in Canada.

Blue Jays has a strong commitment to diversity, accessibility and inclusion. Everyone who applies for a job will be considered. We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply and join us in shaping the future of our club. Together, we will build a team that reflects the richness of the game and the communities that we represent.
Throughout the recruitment process, we are dedicated to working with candidates who have accessibility needs to ensure they have the necessary support to perform at their best. Questions regarding accessibility throughout the recruitment process can be directed to [email protected] . Location Toronto, Ontario Department Retail Employment Type Full-Time Minimum Experience Mid-level
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We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.