Job Summary:

Create merchandise assortments for high-end retail stores; primarily the "Discover Concept" shops, across the country and in Canada. Specific focus working with museums, cultural attractions and local artists enhancing their assortments and generating custom regional products to create stores that reflect the geographic region.

Job Responsibilities:

• Source Merchandise
• Locate suitable vendors and obtain pricing from vendors or catalog
• Input purchase orders
• Contact vendors regarding problem with orders
• Work with vendors to insure satisfactory procurement of products.
• Follow up on vendors regarding outstanding order/orders for new store opening
• Research geographical area focusing on premier museums, cultural attractions, and local artists
• Negotiate all vendor terms and pricing
• Create exciting merchandise assortments based on premier venues, local art, and relevant icons to celebrate the geographical area
• Purchase all merchandise and no-retail items
• Work with managers and staff to insure concept integrity and standards
• Provide "Control Books" to the location for reorder purposes
• Merchandise new and existing locations and instill visual presentation standards
• Work with field merchants on presentation standards
• Visit new and existing locations to evaluate merchandise and need for infusion of new product
• Attend necessary trade shows

Working Relationships:

• Heavy communication with potential and existing vendors
• Communication with local managers and regional VP's to insure concept integrity and resolve any merchandise issues
• Communication with store staff regarding any vendor, customer, or merchandise issue
• Report to and receive guidance from SVP and National Director of Discover Concept
• Provide direction to associates working on stores in a team setting
• Work with associates in the department on suggested assortments and / or potential vendors
• Collaborate with fellow associates on new specialty ideas
• Direct associates in new store set ups

Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

• Ability to multi-task
• Excellent communication skills
• Computer knowledge (WORD, EXCEL)
• Strong Interpersonal abilities; able to interact with diverse personalities
• Through knowledge of all aspects of the shop and the merchandise importance to the region

Education and Experience:

• 3 years of Retail Gift buying
• Experience in Visual Presentation & Merchandising