<Apparel Buyer & Planner>

Department:

Retail Services - UW Shop

Effective Date:

June 15, 2006

Grade:

USG 5

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

General Merchandise Manager

General Accountability

The Apparel Buyer & Planner is accountable to the General Merchandise Manager for the apparel buying and planning process, merchandise distribution, promotions, and customer outreach program for the emblematic apparel product lines and custom imprint services for internal and external campus customers.

Nature and Scope

Reporting to the General Merchandise Manager are the Stationery/Gift Buyer and Convocation Co-ordinator, Customer Service Team Leader , Buying Assistant (2), and Sales Assistant.

The General Merchandise Manager manages the UW Shop, Techworx and Artworx operations and Convocation Regalia services, serving 21,000 undergraduate students, 2,300 graduate students and 125,000 alumni base.

The UW Shop,Techworx and Artworx employs approximately 6 part-time casual staff and over 30 part-time casual student staff are hired annually to work during the peak periods of September, January and for Convocation services in June and October.

The incumbent works collaboratively with the General Merchandise team to meet the needs of internal and external campus clients through excellent customer service and meeting the objectives of the Retail Services Mission Statement. This includes but is not limited to identifying business growth and new product/services development that will enhance the University of Waterloo students’ living/learning experience.

The primary on-campus market segment is the 18 to 23 year age group. The incumbent must have in-depth knowledge of market trends, products and services that meet the requirements for our campus market. Evaluation of apparel purchases include proper use of the UW marks and vendors meeting the social compliance agreement between the University of Waterloo and the Students Against Sweatshop.

The incumbent is responsible for the Custom Imprint Service for faculty departments, academic support units, Residence Dons, Athletics, and student organizations. Through consultation with campus clients, the incumbent recommends custom imprint products from UW Shop and Techworx that meet the campus client’s requirements. The incumbent co-ordinates the product selection, product research, vendor order, delivery and all functions associated with the Custom Imprint Service program.

Statistical Data

Specific Accountabilities

Research and studies the primary customer student market to buy apparel and customer imprint merchandise for the campus market segments – students, staff, faculty, alumni.
Prepares and analyses buying forecasts, open-to-buy plan and sales reports to achieve effective inventory turn-over and sound financial results. Evaluates markups/markdowns and reports adjustments.
Implements the ordering process utilizing Visual Ratex for ordering, inventory management, sales performance and returns. In communication with Retail Services Receiving and/or Accounting departments, the incumbent contacts the vendor on issues pertaining to shipments or invoices.
Provides direction on visual merchandising, re-stocking/inventory control and cross marketing of apparel and gifts.
Initiates and implements marketing strategies in consultation with the General Merchandise Manager.
Identifies opportunities for new products or services, benchmarking against industry standards and collaborates on continual improvement through interaction with associations such as Campus Stores Canada and other industry trade shows