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Position Overview

Follett Higher Education is a leading educational service provider and omnichannel retailer that provides students, faculty and staff, parents, and fans with the course materials, learning tools, and retail services needed to successfully support the collegiate journey. Follett Higher Education supports over 6 million students through its 1,100 physical and 1,750 eCommerce campus stores across North America.

The Intermediate Buyer-NIL develops and maintains sourcing relationships with vendors, keeping abreast of new products and trends. Works directly with planning and operations teams on assortment execution. Oversees and negotiates business terms with vendors, including rebates and commissions. Implements and manages pricing strategy, promotional ideas, and events. Works directly with planning on inventory management and re-orders based on the sales cycle to maximize revenue and margins. Monitors and analyzes sales constantly to ensure goals are being met and/or exceeded.

Responsibilities

+ Analyze each vendor's assortment. Drill down to find opportunities by store, by vendor. Work with the planning and operations team on execution. Track execution and performance by store. React appropriately. Identify successful opportunities and maximize them. Anticipate trends, strategically plan assortments, and track rankings for all school sporting events.

+ Manage vendor relationships. This would include negotiating terms and contracts. Analyze and manage commissions and rebates, including store allocations. Track shipments prior to and post events with vendor partners.

+ Monitor, update, and report sales trends, business plan, and goals utilizing reporting programs and formats. Create and conduct sales trend presentations for all vendor meetings. Oversees and approves special requests, including new style and graphics.

+ Set up and manage online sales. This would include working with the e-commerce team on images and descriptions. Manage price changes affiliated with online business. Communicate real-time updates for sporting events and collect web images prior to key events (can occur outside of normal business hours).

+ Execute purchase orders for tests, NIL jersey launches, and jersey materials across sports. Maintain roster updates and color match process for all NIL locations.

+ Performs other duties as assigned.

+ Bachelor's degree or equivalent; in merchandising, business, marketing, or a related field is preferred.

+ Minimum of 3 years of experience in planning/allocation and/or buying; preferably in 2 years of planning in a retail environment.

+ Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

+ Intermediate to advanced experience using JDA MMS, Retail IDEAS, Power BI, or similar retail planning & reporting system required.

+ Excellent oral and written communication skills.

+ Strong analytical skills with the ability to implement creative and innovative ideas to increase merchandise sales and manage inventory.

+ Proficient in Excel and experienced with Demand Planning/Open-to-Buy tools.

+ Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

+ Ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and adapt to a dynamic work environment.

+ Work well and develop strong relationships with cross-functional teams.