About the Team
PetSmart’s Canada Home Office (CHO) is home to approximately 50+ associates who work in departments such as Merchandising, Marketing, Demand Planning, Pricing, Space Planning, Digital/e-Commerce, Human Resources, Legal, IT and more. The small but mighty team at the CHO supports the operations of 160+ PetSmart stores in Canada and works closely with counterparts at PetSmart’s global corporate headquarters located in Phoenix, Arizona. We also share the Canada Home Office with our colleagues at PetSmart Charities of Canada—an independent, registered charity. PetSmart Charities of Canada is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them by connecting pets with loving homes through adoption, improving access to veterinary care and supporting families in times of crisis with access to pet food, shelter, and emergency relief.
About the Location
Collaborative Work Environment:
At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of three days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to two remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.
About the Job
SUMMARY
The Sr. Buyer is responsible for setting and leading the merchandise strategy for their assigned category and leads a team that that delivers assortment selection, pricing, promotions and development of line structures for assigned categories that impact financial performance. This role proactively leads their buying team to continually identify business opportunities and trends, understand competitive landscape, maximize assortment, and generate business analysis to achieve continued growth, forward looking plans, and profitability. This role is responsible for vendor procurement and selection and negotiation of product purchase, terms, and ongoing relationships, as well as staying abreast of market and competitor trends. Additionally, the role is responsible for Joint Business Planning (JBP) negotiations with vendors to optimize promotional & assortment plans as well as optimizing vendor relationships to drive the best possible results. This role will leverage relationships with Phoenix Home Office, Canada Home Office and Field partners to maximize business performance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:
- Leads the performance and strategies of Buyers and/or Associate Buyers and indirectly leads and partners with Planning, Space and Allocation teams.
- Creates and rolls out strategy with full accountability for assigned categories ensuring that the sales and margin results achieve financial and strategic goals.
- Moves the business forward with a sense of urgency by leveraging and integrating business analysis to track sales, identify key trends and maximize sales & margin opportunities in the assortment.
- Drives partnership and collaboration with Merchandise Planning and Allocation, Product Development, Store Operations, Marketing, and vendors.
- Champions the launch of new processes and tools such as Pricing & Promo Advisor and ensures adoption within their team.
- Continuously looks for ways to elevate their business with a mindset of Excellence in All We Do and Customer First.
- Leads, empowers and develops a team of Buyers and Merchandising Coordinators with a focus on the customer and empowering them to make decisions, learn and grow.
- Develops and communicates business plans that maximize sales, margin dollars, and margin percentage, based upon current business trends and additional internal business and external market factors.
- Negotiates product costs, terms and shipping/returns issues. Act as liaison between merchandising, distribution center and stores to track shipments and floor purchase orders.
- Develops and manages vendor relationships to ensure the best prices, products and shipments.
- In partnership with Marketing team, identifies items to maximize promotional and marketing strategies to meet sales and margin goals.
- Provides input to the other merchandising functions to determine the products lifecycle, exit strategy and inventory aging standards within the assigned area.
- In partnership with Pricing team, participates in recommending, setting and approving product pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives and recommend appropriate markdowns.
- Works with other merchandising departments in managing the performance of the product lines through sales, promotion cost, markdowns, inventory, product quality, and selling costs.
- Partners with Phoenix Home Office to leverage resources, strategies and tools through quarterly visits and regular and frequent communication.
- Provides Field Leadership team with relevant and timely communication required to maximize sales and margin. Communicates strategy through frequent stores / market visits as well as both formal and informal channels.
In partnership with Merchandise Planning and Allocation team, provides recommendations to improve in-stock positions, turns and overall profitability.
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EDUCATION, TECHNICAL and/or EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Merchandising Management, Supply Chain Management, Economics or Business from four-year college or university
- 5-7 years related buying experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5+ years of leadership experience required.
- Retail experience required.
Additional Job Considerations
- This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
- Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
- On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.
* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.
About the Culture
At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.
Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.
Our Canada Home Office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:
- Bring your pup to work! We have lots of dogs that come each day as well as fish and aquatic pets that live at our office
- On-site Dog Park
- Café serving fresh lunch options
- In-building day care facility option
- Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
- We have an active social committee that hosts fun-filled events including contests, bake-offs, off-site events, and volunteer efforts, and they are always trying to out-do the previous event! See what life is like at the Canada Home Office here: https://careers.petsmart.com/canada
- Learn more about #LifeA tPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
- Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
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This posting reflects an existing vacancy, and we are actively seeking candidates for this role. PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.
