Reports to: Merchant
Location: Delray Beach Headquarters - Delray Beach, FL
Company Overview:
Now Optics is a leader in the eye care industry. Its retail brand, Stanton Optical, is amongst the fastest-growing, full-service retail optical centers throughout the country. The company consistently ranks among the largest optical retailers in the country by Vision Monday. Now Optics continues to expand its retail footprint with 300+ corporate and franchise locations while delivering affordable eye care services and providing a fast and friendly customer experience. We believe in building a positive and cohesive culture where everyone is contributing towards a common goal and set of values.
Vision: Modernizing the eye care experience for all people.
Mission: Making eye care easy.
Values: iCARE
- Integrity: We see integrity as building a foundation of trust with our customers, employees and stakeholders by communicating honestly, ensuring consistency and delivering on our commitments.
- Collaboration: We see collaboration as combining the talents of a diverse group, offering proactive communication and being open-minded to new ideas.
- Accountability: We see accountability as taking initiative, delivering our best in all we do, accepting responsibility for our actions and taking ownership of results.
- Respect: We see respect as prioritizing human relationships, being present, connecting with transparency and empathy.
- Empowerment: We see empowerment as making purpose-driven decisions to support the company vision, showing appreciation for others, and taking care of the individuals, we serve.
Job Profile and Objectives
The Associate Merchant will support the Merchant in all aspects of the buying role, from assortment mix decisions to sales performance analysis. Upon demonstrated skill level and performance, the Associate Buyer could be given buying responsibilities for an appropriate section of categories, e.g. Accessories, Technology, Youth. This will provide training and allow the associate to demonstrate skills and growth potential based on actual results. This position requires a strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask on a variety of projects.
Applicants should be ambitious and committed to continuously striving to improve internal processes and customer experience. They should demonstrate competency balancing strategic thinking and tactical execution. There is a certain amount of administrative work in this role so applicants should have experience with reporting, specifically in excel. Key competencies include Communication skills, Business Acumen, Managing and Measuring Work, Prioritizing multiple tasks
Duties & Responsibilities
Assortment:
- Builds and maintains the integrity of product catalog to include product images, attribution (shape, color, size), pricing and related content by style and sku
- Supports Head Merchant with sourcing, review, selection and development of new products
- Supports and maintains merchandise assortment plan as defined by Head Merchant, consistent with financial plan and market trends
- Provides project management support for key initiatives including project plans, status updates, risk/opportunity assessment
Analytics:
- Provides analysis of product and assortment performance to ensure optimal assortments across the chain in line with assortment plan
- Reviews competitive landscape and monitors market trends
Administrative:
- Executes vendor/ product follow-up as needed
- Documents vendor meetings, trade shows and store visit actions and follow up status
- Manages samples; incoming product from vendors; outgoing requests to marketing team
- Assists with resolving assortment, pricing and service of supply issues
Cross-functional integration:
- Works in partnership with the replenishment team, operations and stores to maintain execution of the assortment plan, brand standards, and planogram layout
- Works with other internal departments to satisfy requests for product information, samples, materials as needed
- Responsible for facilitating internal and external (store/franchise/new vendor) assortment or product specific inquiries
- Responsible for supporting all marketing-related product requests/information needs for media, retail and online channels
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree
- 3-5 years relevant work experience
Skills & Requirements
- Ability to work independently while handling multiple projects concurrently
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Detail oriented and analytical
- Proficient in MS Office Suite, Excel -particularly pivot tables, VLOOKUP, other formulas and PowerPoint