Ricki's Apparel Associate Buyer

THE CAREER OPPORTUNITY:
We are seeking experienced retail Apparel Associate Buyer to join Ricki’s Home Office located in Winnipeg.
Reporting to the Senior Merchant/GMM, you will work collaboratively with the team to select and procure assortment so that sales and gross profit are maximized, markdowns are minimized, and inventory turnover meets established objectives, all while remaining true to the Brand’s vision. Our Associate Buyers use their sense of style, knowledge of fashion trends and understanding of target customers' needs to create a focused fashion assortment.
WE VALUE:
Passion – Believes in our brand, loves fashion.
Ambassador for the Brand – Inspires brand loyalty, fosters great customer experience, fun and approachable.
Drive Results - Deliver results through motivation, inspiration, and accountability.
End Poverty in Women - Believe in the power of women, community involvement.
Care - We care about people. We balance our concern for results with a concern for people.
Teamwork - None of us is as good as all of us. We achieve greater results together. We’re committed to fostering an environment where associates lead by their strengths and feel connected to what we stand for.
Inclusivity - We provide an atmosphere free of barriers to promote equity and diversity.
Trust & Respect - We believe in what’s right not who Is right.
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU:

• Casual day - everyday! Our casual dress code allows you to be comfortable and feel your best at work!
• Growth Opportunities – access to unlimited e-learning, professional development reimbursement, ongoing training and development, career advancement opportunities
• Expand your closet with 50% off regular priced product
• Mental health and life wellness supports for all team members
• Paid sick and personal days allotted annually for full time team members
• Our corporate office, which we call our Service Office, is a modern workspace with lots of natural light, outdoor green space and collaborative meeting spaces
• Complete benefits package for full time team members; includes extended health, dental, vision care, life insurance, disability coverage

WHAT YOU’LL BE A PART OF:

• Directs the development of a merchandise mix tailored to the needs, wants, and preferences of our target customer by continually updating for our customer as sales/needs evolve.
• Develops departmental merchandising strategy within divisional strategy through product availability, open to buy and communications with Senior Merchants and Buyers.
• Ensures orders are placed in an appropriate and efficient manner by complying with systems.
• Understands and completes the deliverables in the product development process. Can work in multiple seasons.
• Aware of the competition (aspirational and direct, in store and online, market trends).
• Able to assess assortment performance and adjust to maximize trend and minimize risk.
• Developing category / departmental merchandising strategies; translating and interpreting fashion and trends to suit the customer as sales needs evolve.
• Learns how to develop insights and connect the learning into future business plans.
• Ensures profitability by producing positive results in the areas of sales volume and gross profit, inventory turnover and other controllable elements of net profit.
• Proficient at product costing, negotiation, retail math, and understands financial reports.
• Understands the overall objectives of the department and takes initiative
• Cultivates productive vendor relationships.
• Participating in product fittings and approvals and working with our product development team to meet standards throughout the development process.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Demonstrates initiative, agility, and willingness to do what is right.
• Detail oriented, and skilled at prioritization and multi-tasking – constantly looking for ways to do more and better work.
• Team player who will demonstrate core team values.
• Understands the overall objectives of the department and takes initiative.
• Open to feedback, actively listens and values differences.
• Displays a sense of urgency and maintains accountability.
• Able to use rigorous logic and methods to solve problems with effective solutions.
• Handles day-to-day work challenges confidently; adapts to change well by re-organizing their daily schedule according to priority.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Able to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners
• Energetic, self-motivated, and results oriented.
• Able to use rigorous logic and methods to solve problems with effective solutions.
• Post-secondary degree in Retail Management or Fashion; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Open to feedback, actively listens and values differences.
• Diploma in Fashion Merchandising or Business Administration and/or 2+ years’ experience in retail management.
• A self-starter that works well independently, as well as part of a team, in an open, collaborative environment without rigidly defined boundaries of “who does what”.
• Clear communicator with the ability to interact with key decision makers at all levels in the organization
• Strong interpersonal skills – collaborative, a team player.
• Demonstrates initiative, agility, and willingness to do what is right.
• Takes a position, supported with facts, and lobby for its acceptance. Support/align with company decisions made.

Ready to learn more?
Submit your resume to ONLINE
We thank all applicants for their interest however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Ricki’s is an equal opportunity employer. If chosen to participate in the selection process, accommodations are available upon request. We will consult with the applicant to provide or arrange suitable accommodation in a manner that considers the applicant’s accessibility needs.