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Title: Buyer - Café

Category: Café Operations

EmploymentType: Full-Time

LocationType: corporate

JobLocation: New York, New York 10003

JobSummary: As the Buyer for Café, you’ll oversee continuous innovation, merchandising, planning, and category management for cafés, retail stores, and bn.com aligning café-related products that align with the brand and customer expectations. Your role is to drive sales and profitability by strategically sourcing, pricing, and distributing café consumables.

An employee in this position can expect an annual starting rate between $70,000 - $85,000 depending on experience, seniority, geographic locations, and other factors permitted by law.

WhatYouDo:

• Identify, source, evaluate, and develop new products and business opportunities.

• Develop business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, new opportunities, and risks.

• Partner with the Director and peers on assortment planning to drive sales.

• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.

• Manage vendor negotiations regarding product availability, specifications, distribution, delivery timelines, terms, and pricing to optimize profitability and achieve margin objectives while ensuring quality standards.

• Oversee vendor performance to ensure alignment with financial objectives.

• Monitor vendor performance and resolve issues with supply or quality.

• Manage vendor rebate and allowance programs by reviewing purchase histories, issuing vendor billings, and verifying payments.

• Implement strategies to maximize rebates and incremental margin dollars.

• Recommend pricing strategies to optimize sales and profitability.

• Conduct market analysis, competitive shopping, and sales trend analysis.

• Design, initiate, and manage product planograms to enhance customer experience and sales.

• Manage store and distribution center inventory to meet product turn goals.

• Monitor sales trends and adjust product selections to maximize productivity and minimize waste.

• Collaborate with Product Development, Marketing, Creative, Ecommerce and stores to share information, support initiatives, and resolve challenges.

• Visit stores to review product mix, gather insights, and address operational concerns.

• Ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory and quality compliance standards.

• Stay current on market trends, seasonal items, and customer preferences to refresh offerings regularly.

Knowledge&Experience:

• In-depth knowledge of café consumables preferred.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends.

• Knowledge of vendor management preferred.

• Familiarity with merchandising strategies and promotional planning in a retail environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

• Creative ability to operate independently.

• Demonstrated strength in negotiation, communication and relationship building.

• Some travel required.

• Bachelor's degree.4-6 years of buying and product category management experience preferred.

Expected Behaviors

• Comfortable taking calculated risks to drive growth.

• Demonstrates passion for innovation and revitalizing categories.

• Communicates clearly and effectively across teams.

• Well organized with strong time management skills and can organize, plan and prioritize workload.

• Make decisions based on sound analysis and logic.

• Adapts effectively to changing situations and priorities.

• Collaborates harmoniously and productively with colleagues.

• Is positive, self-motivated and proactive.

• Is curious and continues to develop deep knowledge of the industry and market.

EeoStatement: Barnes & Noble is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, hairstyle, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.