Buyer, West Elm Work/Office

Overview of the role

In order to grow our business, we need a diligent & experienced Buyer to lead several important initiatives within both the retail and commercial sides of our business. You will develop business strategies and assortment plans to maximize the growth of the business including sales and profits. You will oversee the successful set-up of a significant assortment of SKUs and web support tools. You will be responsible for coordinating information across functions working closely with outside business partners including Steelcase and additional drop ship and creative partners – plus internal cross functional partners including Website Merchandising, Internet Creative, Product Information, and Inventory to ensure all processes are followed, our “Office” strategy is successfully executed and timelines are met. You will lead vendor meetings while identifying opportunities and recommending new product or concepts for the department. You will track all drop ship vendor performance and resolve and elevate issues appropriately and you will develop and lead regular training and communication with our dealer partners and LVCC to drive sales and dealer/customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

Retail Business:

• Lead execution of on-line launch road map for West Elm Small Business; project timeline, cross-functional communication, integration of tools (Room Planner, swatch ordering, design chat, etc.), and deliver successful site experience
• Lead creative asset creation, PI and copy overview, SKU pass-off, target retails; partner with creative and Ecomm teams to align on web launch deliverables and timelines, as well as continued maintenance for West Elm WFH and Small Business pages
• Perform competitive market analyses and assess sales trends to identify product assortment growth opportunities as well as appropriate promotional windows
• Lead execution of Product Development roadmap for DTC “Professional Office” assortment, including identifying and analyzing opportunities, product features, price points, etc. as well as working with vendors & internal design team
• Manage backend system support in partnership with vendor, WSI global operations and IT teams to ensure complete and correct ASN/invoice transactions
• Sales reporting responsibilities for on-line Office business including top line, margin, product & vendor line detail
• Develop and implement delivery logistics process, and direct Assistant/Associate Buyer to closely monitor order flow and final delivery to customers, in partnership with Distribution Center leadership team
• Establish returns, exchanges, and cancellations process; lead communication and training with LVCC and vendor care center teams. Handle direct customer communication when necessary, directing Assistant/Associate Buyer for support.
• Coordinate product assortment floor set strategies with Store Operations and Visual teams
• Diligently support B2B Trade Team sales opportunities for WFH assortment on special volume pricing and requests
• Build curated visual line lists to present for product approval
• Work closely with vendors and the Assets team to collect the right photo, video and copy assets that will convince customers to buy products on-line
• Direct the Assistant/Associate Buyer with all tasks to support SKU set-up and web accuracy
• Provide SKU information to Merchandising Operations for input
• Work closely with Website team to optimize products information pages and identify opportunities to enhance or create new shop paths
• Lead regular/weekly vendor meetings and resolve and/or escalate difficult issues to outside partners, VP, LVCC, Website Team, and IT
• Oversee successful and accurate set up and lifecycle management of a large number of SKUs
• Lead the set up and on-boarding of new direct ship vendors and manage all vendor relationships
• Lead all more complicated order support situations and invoice troubleshooting, and direct the Assistant/Associate Buyer to support efforts
• Operate a computer and communicate via telephone
• Transport materials and equipment and lift, move, and carry objects up to 50 pounds on a limited basis

Commercial Business:

• Lead our partner Steelcase’s Dealer trade sales; direct Assistant/Associate Buyer or customer care team to provide dealer support to VIP members, implement improvements on promotions, lead changes in communication & processes, track orders
• Maintain ongoing cross-functional relationship with Steelcase partnership team; participate in product development for Work assortment and retail expansion
• Maintain and update independent website for commercial/Work business
• Manage and reduce stocked inventory through closely monitoring weekly order placement via established true-up process, inventory transfers, and invoicing
• Sales reporting responsibilities including top line and product line detail
• Lead the relationship with LVCC team, providing training support and driving all communication on new initiatives, customer service best practices, including extended dealer support for US and Canada markets
• Perform competitive analysis to support current and new commercial business verticals
• Manage West Elm Work commercial website updates, accurate product depiction, updated resource and contact information
• Lead HQ Showroom visits and presentations for key Dealers, customers, and A D Partners; market activation for new product launches
• Project manage industry tradeshow (e.g. Neocon), including preparation work, logistics/execution, presentations

Criteria

• BA/BS in a similar or related field
• 4 years in Merchandising, previous Buyer experience preferred
• Both B2C and B2B experience
• Operations and drop ship vendor set up experience
• Retail math skills
• MS Excel skills
• Good presentation skills
• Organized and client oriented
• Self-starter, good at working autonomously with the ability to leverage cross functional partners
• Ability to travel 5-10% of the time
• This role is remote but proximity to Brooklyn office 1-2 times per month is required

Our Mission Around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. We will create and nurture a global company culture where we confidently bring our authentic selves to work every day: where the only criteria for advancement are the quality of our work, the contributions we make to our teams and the business, and our ability to lead; and where our individual differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored and appreciated.

Benefits Just for You

Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:

• A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Your Journey in Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Resources for self-development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops and learning programs
• Speaker series

WSI will not commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position at this time (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances,

The expected starting pay range for this position is $88,100-104,400. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

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