Job Responsibilities
- Meet with vendors to secure product for our retail chains. (4
hours per week)
- Negotiate terms and co-op funding (ongoing)
- Analyze gross margin and turn (ongoing)
- Analyze trends based on theatrical releases and other licenses
(4 hours per week)
- Item maintenance in the system- Adding skus, changing outdates,
model stocks, UPC codes, etc. (8-15 hours per week)
- Markdown planning (8 - 10 hours per month)
- Advertising and promotional planning - also entering offers
into a different mainframe system (6 hours per week)
- Creating purchase orders through Access database (10 hours per
week)
- Analyze sales reports and give feedback to management (4-8
hours per week)
- Competitive shopping and store visits (4-8 hours per month)
- Travel to trade shows (occassionally)
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Job Requirements
I went to Johnson & Wales and I think that I participated in a
great program. My classes were very hands on and project focused
and there was a constant emphasis on gaining experience through
internships and part time jobs. My professors were not trained
teachers but rather seasoned professionals who shared their real-
life experiences. Getting classes was bnever a probelm, they
even offer classes on weekends and evenings to give you a chance
to work while attending school. The school was closed on Friday
for that same reason. Grading was fair and the workload depended
on the class, professor, and subject. In major classes we
learned by the Harvard Case Study Method, which again gave us
more real- life experience instaed of just reading terms and
concepts from a book. They taught pratical application something
a lot of top schools don't do. They also have a great job
placement program. Through an accelerated program I was able to
earn my BS in Marketing in 3 years while working 2 jobs and
volunteering at a non profit.
My requirements for my current job were just that I have an
undergraduate degree in marketing or business management.
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Uppers
The perks are samples. Depending on the company that you work for buyers
generally have first dibs on samples that they receive from their vendors. I
haven't had to buy presents for any occassion since I entered this position.
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Downers
Holiday season is crazy because product always hits late
especially if it is import. Also, the buyers actually are
responsible in large for wether the comapny makes its numbers.
If we buy good product then sales are good, if we don't then it
is on our shoulders.
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Lifestyle
Works hours are crazy. Definately not a 9 to 5 job. It all depends on the
company you work for. Dress code is semi-casual at my workplace. We are allowed
to wear jeans, but it sometimes amkes us feel undressed as our vendors come in
waering suits. You get to network with a lot of people in this position.
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Compensation
$40,000 a year with health and dental benefits.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Carpe diem! Try it out as it is great experience for working
many management jobs. This has been the best learning tool for
me. Always have a back up plan though as when a company isn't
doing well they usually lay off buyers first.
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