Merchandising Buying Summer Internship
About the Buying Department:
The primary function of the Global Buying department is to deliver an exciting and commercially focused assortment for Claire’s and Icing that meets the customer’s needs and drives revenue for the company. We are obsessed with our consumer and are constantly challenging ourselves to meet her needs whenever, wherever, and however she is shopping. The global buying teams are responsible for frequently engaging with multiple cross functional partners to implement and drive the merchandising strategy that meets or exceeds financial goals for their respective departments. Buying plays a key role in sales analysis, competitive research, and product development in supporting the overall strategy execution for each season. The core areas of buying responsibility include; assortment strategy and execution, product development, vendor relationship management, purchase order management, and business analysis.
You will gain the practical knowledge of many key retail applications by having the opportunity to:
· Provide analytical, creative, and administrative support to the buyer through;
o Weekly business analysis
o Sample retrieval, approval and organization
o Participation in trend presentations, product assortment reviews, and product development meetings
· Gain a deeper understanding of customer and business needs & behaviors through market trend analysis and product category deep dives
· Conduct and complete multi-channel competitive shopping analyses with responsibility to report back findings on any relevant business actions to wider buying team.
· Engage in special projects as assigned by buying team
Qualifications:
· Display commitment to the internship program by leading with a responsible, hardworking attitude
· Showcase superior organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects efficiently
· Possess strong collaboration and communication skills with the agility to work across multiple team settings
· Lead with a can-do attitude and entrepreneurial spirit by giving constructive insights and opinions that will help shape buying strategies
· Have an interest in a career in retail – particularly buying
· Proficient retail math skills preferred
· Prior retail experience preferred
· Junior level or above at an accredited college or university required