Assistant Manager, Buying Operations

Who We Are:

Saks Global is a combination of world-class luxury retailers, including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, as well as a portfolio of prime U.S. real estate holdings and investments. Saks Global is deeply committed to helping luxury consumers discover the most sought-after established and emerging brands from around the world. Powered by data-driven technology and centered on the customer, Saks Global is on a mission to redefine the luxury shopping experience through highly personalized service, with greater opportunities for product discovery across all channels.

Role Summary:

Assistant Manager, Buying Operations is responsible for overseeing the Sample Management & item setup process. The lead is responsible for driving process improvement & efficiency metrics development & implementation. They are also responsible for achieving topside sales plans, conversion goals, usability performance targets & corporate objectives. They will oversee teams focused on ensuring timely production of merchandise with accountability for complete & accurate turn in processes, product information & assortments. They will also drive ongoing efficiency & quality improvements.

Key Qualifications:

• Experience in the field of Item Setup in a multi-banner E-commerce retail environment
• Minimum 7+ Years of experience in which at least 2+ years of experience in people management
• Monitor volumes & prioritize team’s workload accordingly to meet timelines
• Create & develop solutions to streamline operations, improve consistency & increase efficiency of the team
• Develop training materials & product guides as needed
• Understand the multi-channel/banner aspect of the business & help manage that with Direct Reports
• Participates in long-term planning & resource allocation discussions - Manages forecasting & freelancer scheduling /budget
• Proficiency with merchandising systems (e.g., PIM, RFS)
• Technical aptitude with web-based tools & proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Action & detail oriented, organized with ability to manage teams to execute within deadlines
• Demonstrate strong resource workload & capacity management skills & proven ability to manage multiple resources, priorities & a large volume of business
• Demonstrate ability to analyze & react to quality & performance metrics to drive quality & efficiencies within team
• Ability to select & develop a team of future leaders
• Exhibit ability to perform well, problem solve & brainstorm in a collaborative environment & inspire a strong sense of camaraderie, accountability, & high performance across teams
• Demonstrate sound business judgment, proven ability to influence others & strong decision making skills
• Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in e-commerce businesses

Role Description:

• Develop strategies to scale, monitor & streamline the Vendor provided assets acquisition & product turn-in processes to ensure a consistent & even flow of products-to-turn-in across all categories / banners on a daily basis. Proactively work to improve the turn-in process through conducting regular strategic reviews of turn-in metrics & work with cross-functional partners to identify & implement opportunities to improve the accuracy, efficiency, & scalability of the turn-in process. Interface with Buying Organizations to prioritize item creation & PO entry to drive full price sales by providing clarity on merchant PO inputs through reporting. Manage inventory control & transfers to/from vendors & DCs.
• Oversee & drive the item set up process & improvements focusing on accuracy & consistent customer experience. Ensure timely live dates of products. Oversee team quality metrics & define ways to improve including but not limited to reducing NOS, improving time to site, increasing compliance & improving team quality metrics
• Provide thought leadership on process efficiency initiatives including daily publication, PIM, sample workflow management & cross-functional training. Drive & ensure continuous process efficiency & performance improvements across Sample Management teams. Apply best practices across categories / banners.
• Continue to review organizational structure to ensure accurate headcount to facilitate the continuing growth of the business
• Streamlining Sample Management workflow processes & leveraging best practices across teams, locations, banners
• Liaising with the buying offices on Lifecycle related priorities/issues
• Partnering with Asset Protection & DC teams for studio inventory management & aligning on all policies & procedures
• Lead, coach, and develop a team, ensuring high levels of engagement, performance, and collaboration.
• Set clear goals and performance expectations in alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and feedback sessions to support employee development. Promote a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, and onboarding efforts in collaboration with HR.
• Drive employee engagement through recognition, team-building, and clear communication.

Your Life and Career at Saks:

• Exposure to rewarding career advancement opportunities
• A culture that promotes a healthy, fulfilling work/life balance
• Benefits package for all eligible full-time employees (including medical, vision and dental).

Thank you for your interest in Saks. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Saks provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Saks complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Saks welcomes all applicants for this position. Should you be individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used.