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Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer Resume Examples

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 8 min read

This article guides aspiring Fashion Retail Buyers on crafting a compelling resume for Nordstrom. It emphasizes showcasing relevant experience, understanding of fashion trends, and analytical skills. Tips include highlighting your ability to forecast trends and your successful buying strategies.

Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer Resume Created Using Our Resume Builder

Fashion Retail Buyer Resume Example (Text)

Saran Fauteux, Fashion Retail Buyer

saran.fauteux@gmail.com

(357) 620-6381

Norfolk, VA

Professional Summary

A dynamic and insightful Fashion Retail Buyer with 2 years of experience specializing in trend analysis, inventory management, and supplier negotiation. Demonstrated ability to identify emerging fashion trends and translate them into profitable buying strategies. Skilled in building strong relationships with vendors to secure competitive prices and ensure high-quality merchandise. Adept at analyzing sales data to optimize inventory levels and reduce overstock. Proven track record of enhancing product selection, increasing customer satisfaction, and contributing to sales growth. Brings a passion for fashion and a keen eye for detail to drive retail success.

Work Experience

Senior Fashion Retail Buyer at Nordstrom, VA

Dec 2023 - Present

  • Spearheaded the acquisition and launch of an exclusive designer collaboration with Marc Jacobs, resulting in a 25% increase in seasonal sales and expanding the brand's reach among millennials by 40% within the first year.
  • Negotiated advantageous terms with over 50 suppliers, securing early access to upcoming collections and reducing average procurement costs by 15%, which contributed to a gross margin improvement of 5% across the women's apparel category.
  • Implemented a data-driven inventory management system that decreased stockouts by 30% and reduced excess inventory levels by 20%, leading to a more efficient supply chain and an annual saving of $500,000.
  • Developed and executed a strategic plan for expanding into sustainable fashion, increasing the department's eco-friendly product offerings by 200% and driving a sales uplift of 35% in this segment within two years, significantly enhancing Nordstrom's brand image as a leader in sustainability.

Fashion Retail Buyer at Macy's, VA

Jul 2022 - Oct 2023

  • Spearheaded a strategic shift in the women's apparel category that resulted in a 25% increase in sales over a single fiscal year by identifying and capitalizing on emerging fashion trends, optimizing inventory levels, and fostering relationships with key suppliers.
  • Negotiated exclusive partnerships with three high-demand brands, leading to a 15% growth in foot traffic and a 20% increase in average customer spend within the first six months of launch at the Macy's Virginia location.
  • Implemented an innovative data-driven approach to inventory management which reduced stockouts by 30% and decreased excess inventory by 40%, significantly improving profitability and customer satisfaction ratings during my tenure.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising at Virginia Commonwealth University, VA

Aug 2017 - May 2022

Relevant Coursework: Fashion Trends and Forecasting, Retail Management, Visual Merchandising, Textiles, Brand Management, Consumer Behavior, Fashion Buying and Planning, Merchandise Math, and Digital Marketing Strategies.

Skills

  • Trend Forecasting
  • Negotiation
  • Inventory Management
  • SAP Retail
  • Market Analysis
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Excel Proficiency

Certificates

  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management.
  • Fashion Industry Essentials Certification by Parsons School of Design and Teen Vogue through Yellowbrick.

Tips for Writing a Better Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer Resume

Crafting a standout resume for a Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer position involves emphasizing your fashion sense, analytical skills, and understanding of the retail market. Here are key tips to help you create a resume that shines:

1. Tailor Your Resume:

  • Research Nordstrom’s Brand: Understand their target market, brand values, and current fashion trends they follow. Tailor your resume to reflect how your experience and skills align with Nordstrom’s ethos.
  • Job Description Keywords: Use keywords from the job description. This shows you have the exact skills they’re looking for and helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

2. Highlight Relevant Experience:

  • Quantify Your Achievements: Use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, “Increased accessory sales by 20% through strategic vendor partnerships.”
  • Relevant Roles: Focus on previous roles that are relevant to a fashion retail buyer position. Highlight your responsibilities and achievements in these roles.

3. Showcase Your Fashion Sense:

  • Trend Forecasting: Mention any successful trend forecasting you’ve done or how you’ve adapted to rapidly changing fashion trends.
  • Brand Partnerships: If you’ve worked with notable brands or helped introduce new brands to a retail space, highlight these partnerships.
  • Product Selection: Discuss your experience in selecting products that meet customer needs and align with the store's brand.

4. Demonstrate Analytical Skills:

  • Market Analysis: Mention any experience you have in conducting market analysis to determine the potential success of new products.
  • Inventory Management: Highlight your skills in inventory management, such as optimizing stock levels or improving turnover rates.
  • Budget Management: If you’ve managed budgets, include this to show your ability to work within financial constraints.

5. Include Education and Certifications:

  • Relevant Degrees: Include degrees in Fashion Merchandising, Business Administration, or related fields.
  • Certifications: Add any certifications relevant to retail buying or fashion merchandising.

6. Professional Development:

  • Conferences and Workshops: If you’ve attended industry conferences or workshops, list them. This shows your commitment to staying current in the field.
  • Networking: Mention any fashion industry networks or groups you’re part of. This can demonstrate your industry engagement and potential for partnerships.

7. Format and Design:

  • Professional Layout: Use a clean, professional layout that makes your resume easy to read.
  • Personal Touch: Consider adding a small, professional design element that reflects your fashion sense, such as a tasteful color scheme or font, but keep it minimal.

8. Cover Letter:

  • Personalize Your Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that conveys your passion for fashion and why you want to work for Nordstrom specifically. Highlight how your experience and vision can contribute to their buying team.

Final Tips:

  • Proofread: Ensure your resume is free from grammatical errors and typos.
  • Update LinkedIn: Make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your resume and showcases your professional image.

By focusing on these areas, your resume will not only showcase your skills and experiences but also demonstrate your alignment with Norderson's values and expectations for a Fashion Retail Buyer.

Related: Retail Buyer Resume Examples

Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer Resumes

Incorporating keywords from the job description when applying for a Fashion Retail Buyer position at Nordstrom is crucial due to the company's employment of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems are designed to screen resumes and applications by matching them against specific job descriptions, prioritizing those that contain relevant keywords and phrases. Nordstrom, a leading fashion retailer, receives a high volume of applications for their positions. As such, they utilize ATS to efficiently manage this influx and identify candidates whose resumes closely align with the job requirements. By strategically embedding keywords from the job description into your resume and cover letter, you significantly enhance your visibility to the ATS, thereby increasing your chances of progressing to the next stage of the hiring process. This approach demonstrates your attention to detail and your direct qualifications for the role, aligning your experience and skills with the specific needs and language of Nordstrom's job posting.

Here's a consolidated list of essential skills and key terms commonly encountered in job applications for fashion retail buyer positions at Nordstrom.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Trend ForecastingMarket Analysis
Negotiation SkillsBudget Management
Product SelectionSupplier Relationship Management
Inventory ManagementBrand Awareness
Customer InsightsMerchandising Strategies
Data AnalysisVisual Merchandising
Sustainability KnowledgeQuality Control
Pricing StrategiesFashion Industry Knowledge
Communication SkillsTeam Collaboration
Problem-SolvingDigital Literacy
MultitaskingTime Management

Related: Retail Buyer Skills: Definition and Examples

Common Action Verbs for Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer Resumes

Creating a resume for a position such as a Nordstrom Fashion Retail Buyer requires careful consideration of language, especially when it comes to action verbs. The challenge lies in finding a diverse array of verbs to accurately convey the range of responsibilities and achievements in one's career. Repetition of common verbs like "managed" or "led" can render a resume bland and undifferentiated, failing to capture the attention of hiring managers. To stand out, candidates must delve into a richer vocabulary that vividly describes their contributions and accomplishments. For example, instead of repeatedly saying "managed inventory," one might say "orchestrated inventory rotations" or "optimized stock levels." The importance of varied verbs extends beyond avoiding repetition; it's about painting a dynamic and compelling picture of one's professional journey. Each verb choice can highlight different facets of expertise and initiative, essential for a role that demands both creativity and analytical skills like that of a fashion retail buyer at a prestigious company like Nordstrom. By carefully selecting action verbs, candidates can craft a resume that not only showcases their qualifications but also their unique value proposition in the competitive landscape of fashion retail.

To provide you with an advantage in the competitive job market, we have curated a list of impactful action verbs designed to enhance your resume and secure your upcoming interview:

Action Verbs
NegotiatedSourced
AnalyzedForecasted
ProcuredCurated
CollaboratedManaged
OptimizedImplemented
StreamlinedBudgeted
SelectedCoordinated
AssessedInnovated
DevelopedMonitored
ExecutedExpanded
TailoredAchieved

Related: What does a Retail Buyer do?

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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