Buyer / Planner / Forecasting / Data Analyst

MERSEA CORE VALUES AND ETHOS 

Collaboration

We build meaningful relationships with our employees, customers, partners and vendors and treat them with honesty and integrity, which strengthens our bond.  Through collaboration, we leverage our collective genius to bring about something better than if we did it ourselves.

Strives for Excellence

We are never satisfied and continuously work at improving and being the best version of ourselves – learning and growth are central to who we are. We always strive to do the right thing and elevate the lives of others.

Creative Self Starters

We are a community of self-motivated people who take responsibility for our actions and are scrappy problem solvers. We will do what it takes to bring forward our brand vision – there is no task beneath any of us. We keep an open mind when facing challenges and think boldly to achieve our goals.

Buyer / Planner

Job Description:

The Buyer / Planner is an integral role within the company. MERSEA has two apparel lines: our gift line (MERSEA) and our elevated ready-to-wear line (Voyageur by MERSEA). Both lines sell direct-to-consumer through our website and to other retailers through trade shows and external sales reps. Managing accurate buys, on-time delivery and stock-out situations is important in maximizing revenues and delivering the best experience to our customers in both channels.

Previous experience with fashion merchandising and NetSuite is preferred. Previous experience with buying, planning and forecasting is required. 

Responsibilities:

Forecasting / Planning

• Construct and maintain seasonal open-to-buy system 
• Develop master forecast of both core + seasonal needs
• Perform continual analysis + forecasting of core offering needs
• Create bi-annual postmortem analysis of season-specific items to help inform future assortment decisions
• Create custom reports to easily accumulate + understand previous season’s sales trends, stock-outs, promotion impact, etc. 
• Continually analyze sales, historical sales trends, marketing + consumer reaction to understand demand for key business drivers
• Understand impact of digital marketing and other marketing efforts to help inform initial buys and reorders on a continual basis
• Present forecasted numbers in accessible and accurate way such that final decisions can be made and approved by all involved departments; assist in assortment decisions when applicable
• React accordingly to spontaneous + unexpected shifts in sales trends
• Maintain organized records of key category drivers, along with internal knowledge of each silhouette to inform future buying decisions
• Maintain + contribute to company integrated calendar to effectively communicate delivery dates of needed product

Inventory Management

• Create strategy to minimize the lead-time while avoiding broken inventory
• Monitor inventory overages + collaborate with Marketing + Sales team accordingly
• Maintain + allocate inventory based on direct-to-consumer marketing plan + ecommerce sales / promotions 
• Provide inventory feedback for various marketing programs (in-home mailer, gift guide, etc.)
• Assist in merchant decisions, primarily product pricing + shipping method on new orders
• Participate in weekly calls with key vendors, ensuring success for both parties

Reporting

• Construct reporting templates + visuals to deliver accurate information to product development and sales teams + leadership as needed
• Lead inventory + sales meetings with leadership and other teams
• Create saved searches and reports in NetSuite on an as-needed basis
• Assist with creating and optimizing the new NetSuite reporting dashboard

Other

• Assist Purchasing Coordinator with NetSuite matrix classifications and hierarchy to ensure the best reporting and internal organization
• Assist Purchasing Coordinator with purchase order issuance on an as-needed basis

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong organizational and systems skills
• Willingness to work hard, learn and follow through
• Excellent team building and communication skills