The TJX Companies, Inc., the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide, is ranked 75 in the 2022 Fortune 500 companies listings. TJX operates TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading Post and Homesense, as well as tjmaxx.com and sierratradingpost.com in the U.S.; Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls in Canada; TK Maxx in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Netherlands and tkmaxx.com in the U.K., Homesense in the U.K. and Ireland, as well as TK Maxx in Australia. With more than 4,700 stores in nine countries and four e-commerce sites, we are a global, off-price retailer delivering great value to our customers through the combination of brand, fashion, price, and quality.
Overview:
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Conduct market research and make recommendations on sourcing opportunities for assigned product brands or market sectors for TJX buyers and internal sourcing unit. The market representative can handle goods in all product categories. Coordinate buyer trips to factories or manufacturers. Monitor order from placement with vendor, sample distribution, to final quality inspection and shipping.
Job Responsibilities:
- Conduct ongoing research on products in assigned sector. Collect information from existing suppliers on product availability and opportunities, price, orders and market trends. Attend trade shows to review market goods and trends.
- Evaluate new opportunities in the market, competition for these products and the development of new product resources.
- Communicate with buyers on various opportunities found to allow for evaluation and possible purchase. Coordinate manufacturers to visit for buyer trips. Organize the trip and appointments to maximize the buyer's time and results. Accompany the buyer for the entire trip during the selection and negotiation process in order to facilitate the definition of the order.
- Place all orders with suppliers and follow up to give appropriate instructions on manufacture, preparation and shipment of the merchandise. Alert management and buyers of potential problems with orders which could impact shipping timetables.
- Obtain reference samples of merchandise to approve or to send to the buyer or product development team.
- Once the order is ready for shipping, carry out quality control, keeping in mind the requirements of the customer in terms of quality, packaging and shipping methods. Prepare a report at the end of the inspection to inform the manufacturer and customer of product problems and suggest the best solution to resolve issues.
- Ensure that potential new vendors and factories can meet TJX's standards and requirements for Social Compliance and Cargo Security Programs.
Job Impact:
Market Representatives handle assigned product areas and brands.
Work in a team environment with TJX based merchants, product teams and logistics management. Ensures orders are placed correctly and production of goods meets established timetables.
Decision Making:
Make decisions on the information needed for buyer assessment of products and the best manufacturers to source or visit. Handle quality control problems when they arise and elevate issues to managers or buyers.
Job Requirements:
- University graduate with minimum 3 years' solid experience in sourcing and production or related field of which at least 1-2 years' experience in buying office, agent or well-known importer catering to U.S. Market
- Proven relevant experience as specialist in assigned category or generalist in other categories in U.S., Canada, or UK retail market
- Fluent in conversation, written and comprehension of English and Japanese
- Understanding of buying office, manufacturing principles, materials, production process, U.S. customs and International logistics and trade with hands-on approach
- Excellent interpersonal skills with proven record of building relationships
- Exceptional organization, problem solving, negotiation and time management skills
- Independent with a passion in products and knowledgeable in latest market trends
- Strong business acumen and entrepreneurial
- Willing and able to frequently travel to explore new opportunities
Benefits:
- Salary ranges above industry average
- Harmony Fridays - 4.5 Day Work Week
- Flexible Working Hours - 2 Days Work-From-Home Flexibility
- Clear Career Progression to Sourcing or become a Buyer
- Spacious Working Environment
- Year-round Social Events
- Dental & Medical Insurance include spouse and children
We are an equal opportunity employer. Personal data collected will be treated with strict confidence and be used exclusively for recruitment purpose. Applicants who are not contacted for an interview within 8 weeks may consider their applications unsuccessful.