Blain's Farm & Fleet

Company & Benefits Information

At Blain’s Farm & Fleet we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to have a job they love, work in a great environment, grow their career & enjoy a positive balance.

As a family-owned retailer we take pride in offering a competitive benefit package designed to support you & your life. It is one of the reasons we have been named a Forbes Best Employer for seven consecutive years!

• Associates hired into a full-time role will become eligible for the following benefits effective their 91st day of full-time employment: Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, Ancillary Benefits, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Etc.
• All major Holidays & Birthday off
• Advanced Leadership Training Programs: build the skills to grow your career
• Associate discount on name brands like Carhartt, Under Armour, STIHL, Milwaukee Tool, DeWalt & much more!
• Internal recognition programs that support an engaged workplace
• Profit Sharing
• 401(K) with company match

Compensation

• Base pay starting between $91,400 - $114,000/yr with annual performance-based merit raises*

The pay listed for this position may vary based on experience. Please note, compensation decisions are contingent on the facts and conditions for each job opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as, training and experience, the position’s work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires.

Please note salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Blain’s Farm & Fleet position description for accurate pay range information.

Job Duties

This position is responsible for product selection, assortment planning, and securing the best overall program cost including terms, freight, and defective allowance to ensure corporate sales and profitability goals are met. Other duties include forecasting, inventory management, sales analysis and planning, vendor negotiations and relations, merchandising including fixturing and signage, marketing/advertising, communications, and special projects. This position reports directly to the DMM of and is expected to work independently and form their own business decisions while maintaining an enterprise focused outlook and driving initiatives beyond their direct product category or business responsibilities when appropriate.

• Acts as the strategic leader of the business, responsible for gaining company alignment and support on brand driven and customer centric strategies and owning the outcomes of sales, margin, and inventory.
• Establish and maintain vendor partnerships. Schedule and participate in vendor meetings both on and off-site. Take a primary role in negotiating product costs, terms, and shipping/returns issues. Maintain communications with DMM regarding vendor performance.
• Directly collaborate with other organizational processes, such as merchandising, distribution center and stores to track shipments and floor purchase orders. Collaborate with internal business partners as appropriate to support goals, solve challenges and manage business.
• Make determinations on setting and approving product-pricing strategies to achieve specific margin objectives and executes exit-strategies on slow selling items and recommends appropriate markdowns.
• Partners across marketing channels to ensure that advertising positioning and communication strategy supports the sales goals of the business and brands.
• Establish and maintain budgets and forecasts including financial planning, sales, inventory, turns and margins. Measure and report on category performance, KPI’s, planning, forecasting, and objectives.
• Coordinates efforts and activities with others within the division and other internal business partners when needed to help drive initiatives beyond their direct product category or business responsibilities.
• Contributes to the skill development and experience of Buyers, Assistant Buyers,
• Associate Buyers, and Administrative Assistants via continual training, targeted skill advancement, KPI monitoring, evaluation checkpoints, feedback, and recognition.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners on strategic projects to accomplish individual, divisional, departmental, and/or enterprise focused goals.
• Manages key strategic vendor relationships involving complex negotiation and collaboration with leadership on partnership goals, metric improvement targets, and performance progress.
• Travel for market visits, vendor meetings, and trade shows as appropriate.
• Learn Business systems & leverage to make decisions and conclusions.
• Organize and execute virtual or in-person product knowledge seminars with store personnel and vendors.
• Present to Peer, leadership and management at seminars and other business events.
• Conduct regular store visits and shop the competition as needed to remain abreast of business trends and opportunities.
• Attend Blain Grand Openings events and support as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Participate in continuing education and training as appropriate.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in retail buying and product development
• Ability to build long-term relationships with internal and external customers
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong math skills with ability to analyze statistics
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Proven success in negotiating good gross margins, terms, and other value-added discounts, guarantees, and services.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Hybrid Schedule: In-office Tuesdays and Wednesday; remote options available the remainder of the week (dependent on business needs)
• This role requires 10% Travel

EEO Statement

Blain Supply, Inc and Blain’s Farm and Fleet (collectively “Blain’s”) is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recognize the importance of diversity and creating an inclusive culture in order to leverage the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. Blain’s does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any applicable legally protected status. Our goal is to continue to be recognized as an employer of choice and we have received Forbes Best Mid-Sized company to work for an unprecedented 7 years in a row.