Zola is looking for an exceptional candidate to join the Merchandising team as the Buyer for the Kitchen & Cleaning division. Named by Forbes as one the next $1B start-ups, Zola is growing explosively and we need a strategic-minded professional who can support us through this next phase of growth. Founded by many of the early team members from Gilt Groupe, we are focused on creating a new kind of e-commerce experience that addresses a huge market — wedding gifts — by re-imagining the wedding registry for modern engaged couples and their guests.
This role will report into the Director of Merchandising, and lead the Kitchen & Cleaning division with 1-2 direct reports. He/she will provide rigorous and thoughtful analyses and partner with internal business functions to drive short-term and long-term business decisions. This role is ideal for someone with solid Buying and Merchandising experience, looking for broad and challenging responsibilities. Our team offers a fast-paced, high-growth environment that values leadership, adaptability, and communication.
Responsibilities include:
Create a clear strategic vision for your product categories that supports the overall objectives of ZolaManage and grow your business against company sales and margin plan; identify and execute on profit maximizing opportunitiesPartner with Planning to inform goals/targets; actively manage business against the Open To Buy forecastDiscover and manage pipeline of new brands to add to ZolaForge relationships with new vendors (including outreach, pitches, etc.) and maintain strong relationships with existing vendorsNegotiate agreements with vendors in partnership with Planning team, ensuring all agreements are in line with company goalsPlan assortments and conduct periodic assortment and brand reviewsWork with Zola Marketing team to develop and improve vendor co-marketing programs; pitch and secure vendor fundingRecruit, develop and promote associate buyers, assistant buyers and merchandising assistantsPartner closely with Operations and Planning to manage vendor operations, inventory and fulfillmentContribute new ideas for the growth of the business and work with the product and engineering team to implement improvements to the shopping experiencePerform ongoing vendor development via market meetings, trade shows and market researchParticipates or leads cross functional initiatives to support and execute company-wide goals
Qualifications:
5+ years of buying experience; experience in Kitchen preferredStrong product sensibility and demonstrated ability to identify emerging trendsExceptional track record of presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skillsAbility to perform data analysis to identify actionable insightsDeep understanding of new technologies and familiarity with competitive e-commerce landscapeDemonstrated talent for product assortment strategy and driving margin growthDeep understanding of and experience with retail financials and goal settingStrong team orientation, collaborative, cooperative work styleStrong adaptability, flexibility and willingness to change strategies as business needs dictateStrong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detailBachelor’s degree required
This role is for a May or June 2018 start date.
Please address all cover letters to Connie Kim.
About Zola
Zola is the fastest growing wedding company in the country. We're reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in our couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love.
Headquartered in New York City, our team brings deep experience working on beautiful, award-winning e-commerce sites and mobile apps in past roles at Gilt Groupe, Yahoo, Amazon, J.Crew, Rent The Runway, Goldman Sachs, among many others. In 2017 the Wall Street Journal named Zola a top 25 Tech Company to Watch, and Forbes named Zola a Next Billion-Dollar Startup.
