Assistant Buyer

At Cracker Barrel, our mission is Pleasing People. This is evident from the moment you walk through our doors, with the first smile that greets you, from the items in our retail store to the food on the table, we welcome you home!

In this role, you will ensure efficient flow of daily operations. You will be responsible for meeting timelines/deadlines in making sure all merchandise is set-up and ordered for delivery receipt within a specified time frame as well as providing support and follow-through for the Director of Merchandise, Sr. Buyer, and Buyer.

· Responsible for the vendor set-up process, including the Vendor Insurance program. Processes all new items to be entered in Retek Merchandise System. Creates purchase orders for approved items and verifies receipt of purchase orders. Ensures product integrity by scanning and approving barcodes prior to shipment. Maintains SKU file for accuracy. Responsible for cost and retail price changes. Assists in coordinating priority shipping of new product with the Distribution Center. Communicates shipping information with respect to potential delays, or problems with the shipment to the Merchandising Team.

· Initiates sample requests from vendors. Orders and tracks samples for the model store. Approves pre-production samples. Ensures all model store samples are received by scheduled date. Prepares incoming submittals for the Buyer’s review. Unpacks and sets up all product samples. Returns samples to vendor upon request.

· Communicates with cross functional teams in Visual, Planning, Allocations, Supply Chain, Guest Relations and Operations. Initiates and manages external communications with the vendor community (domestic and international) regarding various issues including product samples, shipping, changes to original plans, packaging, pricing and meeting schedules. Responsible for answering communication to stores regarding product questions.

· Provides support to the Director of Merchandise, Sr. Buyer, Buyer, and Associate Buyer, which can include assisting with vendor product meetings, helping curate and build new assortment buys, submitting ideas for new product sets. Provides assistance to the VP/GMM as needed. Receives and answers calls, types and distributes letters, memos and other communications, faxes, files, copies, etc.

· Completes special projects and other duties as assigned.

Experience and Education

• High school diploma. Bachelor's degree preferred.

• 2-3 years of merchandising or retail experience preferred.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Basic computer skills.

• Strong organizational and prioritizing skills.

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid role, in office 3 days per week