Merchant / Buyer Hard Lines

Fred's Pharmacy is America’s favorite hometown discount store. Our vision is to “Put a Smile on Every Customer’s Face.” To achieve this goal, we’re always searching for the right people to become team members.

A Merchant has a thorough knowledge of specific categories, including market trends, item cost, competitive issues and logistical issues to help facilitate customer satisfaction. In addition; this position coordinates special projects and execute strategies such as;

* Developing and executing merchandising strategies for assigned departments that clearly demonstrate the ability to increase business while maximizing profitability and customer satisfaction. * Identifying growth opportunities and risks in assortment, and developing contingency plans * Ensuring performance against plan is achieved for assigned departments * Partnering with merchandise planning to achieve sales, gross margin, turnover, in-stock and return rate; developing category strategies for continuous financial growth * Negotiating with consideration of mutual profitability and growth * Determining and managing drop-ship relationships * Ensuring product presentation aligns with both vendors and their visions * Executing promotional strategies in support of financial plan; ensuring company in-stock strategy and partnering with planning on item exit strategies * Participating in all appropriate training programs; utilizes current and new merchandise systems and processes to improve departmental efficiency * Conducting business unit meetings with planning, allocations/rebuy and advertising to ensure solid communication and teamwork

**Skill & Educational Requirements:** * Bachelor’s degree preferably in Merchandising, Marketing or Business. * Minimum of 5+ years of retail buying experience with a minimum of $25m. * Keen understanding of the dynamics of negotiating product and interpersonal knowledge of how to achieve department goals. * Ability to work the marketplace to include foreign and domestic travel to review products via sourcing and production. * Thorough knowledge of specific categories, including market trends, item cost, competitive issues and logistical issues to help facilitate customer satisfaction. * Ability to analyze and interpret budget, sales, market and consumer data to select products and measure performance. **Physical Demands/Work Environment:** * The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods through out the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 25 pounds for files, computer printouts on occasion. * Travel requirements of this position include; local, domestic and international travel to meet with vendors, attend tradeshows and review marketplace conditions. Travel may be required on weekends or outside normal business hours. International travel requires 24-36 consecutive hours at times. While on international trips, an individual will travel using local means of transportation that is available including, but not limited to; taxis, boats, trains, aircraft, subways, ferries, etc. * The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to the distribution areas where under certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection as well as; exposure to foreign factory and distribution areas that are safe but do not meet American standards with regards to air-conditioning/heating, lighting, bathroom facilities, etc. Primary environment: ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment.