The Opportunity: Junior Buyer

Location: North York – Yorkdale area

Benefits: Standard

Education & Experience: Post secondary education in fashion with minimum 2+ years of fashion merchandising experience.

Tony Curtis & Associates Inc.is actively interviewing for the position of Junior Buyer for one of Canada’s leading, trendsetting brands. With hundreds of locations across Canada this brand continues to expand and lead in all the major categories; clothing, footwear and accessories.  The Junior Buyer is responsible for maintaining a strong knowledge base for their assigned product class and will balance analytical and creative abilities to positively affect the bottom-line profit of their category. In this role you will hone vendor interviewing skills and assortment planning, sourcing, approvals and selling strategies. Under close supervision, the Junior Buyer will help plan business opportunities and effectively negotiate with suppliers to achieve sales targets. The successful candidate will assist and work as a partner with the Buyer in all areas of merchandising, including providing support in purchase order processing.

Tony Curtis & Associates Inc.thanks all applicants, however, only those legally authorized to work in Canada will be considered.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Assist in the development of relationships with vendors and suppliers; practice interviewing suppliers, communicate regularly to ensure product development, initiation of new orders, PO revisions, cancellations, shipping, packing, arrival dates, etc.

· Follow up with suppliers on any questions related to purchase orders, price tickets, extension requests, and shipping instructions

· Create computer file system for all vendor communication

· Process all purchase orders in a timely fashion

· Practice assortment planning, sourcing, approvals and selling strategies

· Handle purchase order revisions as changes arise in the procurement process. Follows up on a weekly basis to ensure there are no outstanding purchase orders

· Assist in planning product assortment, focusing on price points, cost, product assortment and trends

· Analyze financial reports, plans, open-to-buys

· Open Order Report - complete all received orders, ensure accuracy of information on report and list vessel information for import orders. Finalize and submit the Open Order Report to Senior Management on a weekly basis (end of day Friday)

· Partner with Buyers to manage sample area

· Pull merchandise for line reviews

· Participate during sales, product, and merchandise meetings

· Create Excel reports as required

· Develop ongoing knowledge of buying; understanding of assigned categories through product knowledge, store visits, industry visits, etc.

· Monitor trends in business and be able to assess and respond to fluctuations

· Stay current to fashion trends, market climate and competition

· Adhere to corporate health and safety policy requirements that contribute to a safe workplace

· Any other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions

· Office environment

· Travel required on occasion

· Career Advancement

Qualifications

· Post-secondary education in Fashion and/or related experience required

· Minimum of 2 years of working Fashion Merchandising experience

· Previous work experience with suppliers and buyers an asset

· Knowledge of the retail industry an asset

· Illustrator and AS400 skills are an asset

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Related Work Skills

· Strong creative and business analytical skills

· Ability to work in a fast-paced trend business environment

· Proven ability to work well under pressure and meet all deadlines

· Strong ability to develop teams and partnerships

· Strong negotiation skills

· Ability to take initiative

· Effective time management and multitasking skills

· Excellent mathematical and inventory management skills

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Understands business goals and works closely with key leadership to strategize

Tony Curtis & Associates Inc. values the human connection, we do not use AI tools or automation during the screening, interviewing or selection processes.