ASSOCIATE SERVICES SPECIALIST

Associate Services Specialist

Assists the Specialists responsible for enterprise responsibilities for one or more Services businesses, i.e., Optical, flower shop, video rental, laundry, dry cleaning, barber, beauty, tailoring, automotive, gas vending, and/or other services functions. Has limited Open-to-buy authority. Works closely with the Specialist and Planner Distributor to execute sales gross profit and stock turn plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works under the supervision of a Specialist who retains overall responsibility for managing service categories/lines assigned. The Associate Specialist performs the following duties within limits established by the Specialist. Work is reviewed at key points within the buying/planning process to ensure work meets established objectives.
• Analyzes market trends and offerings to develop and execute service stock assortments, business strategies, and goals for assigned service lines/departments.
• Negotiates with vendors within established limits to obtain the most favorable prices and allowances to achieve sales and profit objectives for basic and advertised merchandise.
• Where required, works with vendors to ensure that all vendors in store sales staff are trained, meet all NEX standards, and are scheduled for all necessary and negotiated hours of staffing.
• Responsible for the development, execution, and maintenance of the Master Stock Assortments (MSA).
• Works with other codes and stores to develop space allocation, adjacencies, and planograms for store sets and renovations.
• Develops and executes an advertising plan for assigned departments. Oversees order placement and tracking to ensure timely receipt of merchandise.
• Works with the Specialist to prepare information tools, training materials, and training seminars for store associates.
• Works closely with the Specialist to determine and execute automated methods of replenishment.
• May be assigned the responsibility of the supervision and development of a subordinate staff as appropriate.
• Conducts store visits as appropriate to evaluate merchandise presentation, customer demographics, stock assortments, and inventory levels. Works closely with store management to address and maximize business opportunities.
• Attends trade shows and markets as appropriate.
• Works with the Specialist to determine optimal order size, inventory levels, and allocations needed to achieve merchandising and financial goals.
• Utilizes software tools such as RMS, RDW, Harms, VMS, Essbase, Lawson, Ruby System, etc. to manage product assortments, pricing, inventories, and management reports.
• Prepares merchandise information manuals, monthly information bulletins, standard operating procedures, and associate training seminars as appropriate.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with vendors and internal and external colleagues.
• Processes JVs, JEs, and other financial documents to ensure that financials are accurate.
• Assist the Specialist in the design, development, and layout of equipment, fixtures, and presentation standards.
• Assist field Exchanges in the preparation of contracts and initiate recommendations as appropriate for approval, disapproval, or revisions.
• Works under the close supervision of a Specialist. Operates independently within the authority delegated by the Specialist. Performance is evaluated on operational performance, skill evaluations, customer service, collaboration and teamwork, leadership, and established individual performance objectives.
• Exercises independent judgment and approval in routine and non-routine situations. Consults with supervisor on such issues as policy matters, deviations from normal procedures, or unusual circumstances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Total of 4 years of experience, consisting of the following: General Experience: 3 years experience which was gained in administrative, merchandising, technical or other responsible work which enabled the applicant to gain knowledge of retail store, services, vending, contracts, or buying practices; demonstrated skill in dealing with others in person-to-person work relationships; the ability to analyze problems and exercise mature judgment. OR Substitution of education for experience: 1 year of academic study above the high school level may be substituted for 9 months of experience, up to a maximum of a 4 years bachelors degree for 3 years of general experience. AND Specialized Experience: 1 years of progressively responsible substantive experience, which provided background in: >Services, Retail or Procurement practices, methods, and procedures (Contracting experience can also be utilized as procurement experience) >Developing vendor relationships >Selecting sources of supply >Ordering of assortments >Review of merchandise for pricing and gross margin >Analyzing operation data >Similar work that demonstrates the knowledge and abilities.