Product Merchant-Outdoor Sporting Goods / Seasonal

Job Description:
Develop and manage vendor relationships, events and merchandising programs for 50 retailers with over 500 stores as part of a Farm/Ranch Store cooperative. This involves collaboration with committees, stockholders, and upper management to leverage the combined purchasing power of the cooperative. This position serves as the company’s “ambassador” for assigned merchandise categories and requires very strong analytical, influencing, negotiation, communication, consulting and collaboration skills.Primary Job Duties:
•Discover, select and certify vendors and merchandise programs
•Manage vendor relationships in assigned categories
•Manage master data for assigned categories
•Manage vendor/item selection & recommendation for advertising and marketing programs
•Communicate all aspects of vendor programs to the membership via website, mailing, e-mail, trade shows and regional meetings.•Coordinate vendor participation and managing the process for three annual tradeshows.
•Develop, coordinate and manage group purchases, reverse-auctions and import programs.
•Manage and analyze each vendor’s merchandise programs for value, accuracy, and market correctness.
•Identify and develop differentiating product and program opportunities
•Identify, analyze and communicate market trends, line reviews and business opportunities.
•Manage conflicts between vendors and members
•Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
•5+ years of progressive retail merchandising (buying/product development) experience with a multi-store retailer in seasonal “hard-goods” merchandise categories.
•College degree or equivalent work experience
•Current vendor relationships with major suppliers in the assigned categories
•Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
•Excellent oral and written communication skills
•Team player with a positive attitude
Preferred Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or an MBA is desired
•10+ years of cross-functional Retail industry experience preferably in multiple retail formats.•7+ years of retail merchandising (buying/product development)
•Strong product knowledge and current vendor relationships in the Outdoor Sporting Goods market segment (hunting, fishing, camping, marine acc.)
•Proven process competency with seasonal merchandise categories.
•Proven knowledge of the end-to-end retail Merchandising, Advertising, Marketing and Supply-Chain business processes.
•Global product development and sourcing experience is a definite plus
•Strong organizational, communication (Oral / Written / Public Speaking) and effective collaboration skills•Proven negotiation skills through collaboration & strategy rather than through force.
•Proven project management skills
•Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel & Access and Merchandising systems
•“Hands on” willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done – Team PlayerCompensation:
•Competitive salary•Benefits – Cafeteria style (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance) Company match 401K (upon meeting eligibility requirements)Contact information:
Submit resume and cover letter with salary history and salary requirements to [Click here for email]