Job Description

It's no surprise people are passionate about the health and happiness of their pet and our Merchandising (buying) team is no different. When it comes to the products and solutions in our stores, our incredible teams of merchandising associates have everything covered – from head to tail! From keeping up with the top trends to developing new, innovative solutions, our buyers help ensure every pet parent can find exactly what their pet needs at PetSmart. Join our team and show your love for pets by creating products as special as pets themselves!

Collaborative & Flexible Work Environment: We believe in fostering growth, teamwork and creativity in a dynamic workplace. This role is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office, where associates currently enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration while having the flexibility to work remotely one day per week (a “flex workday” with leader approval), and an expected four days in the office. At PetSmart, you’ll be part of an engaging and supportive environment designed to help you and our teams thrive.

From keeping up with the top trends to anticipating the next trend and developing new, innovative solutions, our merchandising team helps ensure every pet parent can find exactly what their pet needs at PetSmart. Join our team, have a rewarding career, and help us fulfill our brand promise of Anything for Pets!

How this role will make an impact:

As the Buyer, you and your team will be responsible for setting the current and future merchandise strategy, determining assortment selection, creating pricing strategy, leading strategic vendor relationships, and identifying promotional opportunities for sales of approximately $375M. This will include directing vendor selection and leading the negotiations of product purchase terms in addition to developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with selected vendors. You will need to stay abreast of current and future market and competitor trends impacting the business to provide Sr. Leadership with recommendations on how to maintain PetSmart’s market leadership position and to sustain year over year profit growth. You will also provide leadership to a team of 1 Associate Buyer in the creation of plans for purchases, communications, and implementation of controls for merchandise selection to maximize sales and margin dollars.

Your goals and responsibilities will include:

• Managing product assortment and product specifications in assigned areas in order to identify and address opportunities within the business and the market to maximize sales and margin opportunities.
• Developing and communicating business plans that maximize sales and margin based on current business trends to maintain PetSmart’s market leadership position.
• Negotiating product costs, terms and shipping/returns issues.
• Create effective partnerships with marketing, proprietary brands, supply chain, distribution centers, and stores operations senior leaders.
• Developing and influencing vendor relationships in order to ensure the best prices, products and shipments.
• Identifying products that will maximize promotional and marketing strategies to meet sales and margin goals based on internal business and external market factors.
• Collaborating with other merchandising functions to determine product lifecycle, exit strategy and inventory aging standards.
• Participating in recommending, setting and approving product pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives and recommending appropriate markdowns.
• Plan and develop a merchandising team through training, coaching, and mentoring to create the bench strength needed to support a growing organization.

What you’ll bring to the table:

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising management, Economics, Business or related degree from 4-year college or university
• Ideal candidates will be strategic, customer focused, analytical, and have a proven track record of identifying opportunities to driving sales, margin, and market share.
• 3+ years of retail buying experience. Includes experience in both high volume and high value categories.
• This position will require the ability to communicate and influence effectively with senior leaders in all functional areas
• Effective communication, analytical, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams
• FlexSmart policy allows some flexibility to work from home or remote locations, but this role requires a candidate to be based in the Phoenix area.

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where 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 home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #Life A tPetSmart here: 
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: 
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: 
• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.

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