Buyer

The Buyer owns the day-to-day category strategy, assortment selection, vendor execution, pricing recommendations, and business performance for assigned categories. This role is accountable, with Planning & Allocation, for delivering sales, gross margin dollars, inventory efficiency, SKU productivity, and clean inventory exits. The Buyer must be product-obsessed, customer-aware, store-connected, and financially disciplined. The role requires strong product judgment, vendor management, speed, and willingness to test and learn. The Buyer’s work should make the store easier to shop, improve in-stock position on priority products, and deliver better value within the defined square footage of the category and Zone. Key Responsibilities Business Ownership Own category performance across sales, gross margin dollars, gross margin rate, inventory productivity, sell-through, turn, and markdowns. Partner with Planning & Allocation on buy depth, flow, replenishment, inventory risk, and exit strategy. Review business results regularly and translate performance into clear actions. Identify risks and opportunities early and elevate with recommendations. Assortment & Product Build customer-right assortments for assigned categories. Build assortments to the category’s defined space within the Zone, balancing customer choice, inventory depth, presentation needs, and productivity. Know product features, benefits, quality, durability, use cases, competitive alternatives, and price-value equation. Identify great product that does what it says it does and delivers reliable value without being over-built or over-priced. Reduce duplication and low-productivity clutter. Use sales per square foot, GM dollars per square foot, inventory per square foot, and turn to improve SKU count, depth, and space allocation recommendations. Test new products, brands, classifications, and store-specific opportunities. Manage vendor line reviews and day-to-day vendor relationships. Partner with the DMM and Vendor Strategy & Partnerships on strategic vendor opportunities. Push vendors for better product value, availability, funding, product information and marketing assets, and customer storytelling. Evaluate vendor productivity and recommend growth, maintenance, reduction, or exit actions. Recommend pricing and promotional strategies based on customer value, competition, margin, and inventory position. Partner with Planning on markdown timing, inventory exposure, and exit plans. Connect promotions to business objectives and customer relevance. Cross-Functional Execution Partner with Visual Merchandising and Planning & Allocation to ensure the assortment fits the space, is easy to navigate, and supports productive inventory placement. Partner with Marketing on product stories, campaign priorities, and vendor assets. Partner with Stores to understand execution realities and customer feedback. Partner with Ecommerce to support online assortment, product content, and drop-ship opportunities. Spend time in stores and use what is learned to improve category decisions. Decision Rights The Buyer owns or leads: Product selection within assigned categories Category and classification assortment direction Vendor Strategy within the category Pricing and promotional recommendations Buy depth recommendations in partnership with Planning Category space and productivity within the Zone’s standard footprint Markdowns and exits Product storytelling priorities Category test-and-learn opportunities Measures of Success Success in the role will be measured by improvement in: Gross margin rate Inventory productivity Turn Sell-through Markdown efficiency Space productivity, including sales and GM dollars per square foot In-stock position on priority items Customer experience and shopability Speed of testing, learning, and scaling Category productivity Vendor support and responsiveness Required Experience & Qualifications 4+ years of progressive merchandising, buying, category management, or equivalent retail experience; experience owning a meaningful category or high-SKU business preferred. Bachelor’s degree in merchandising, business, finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered. Strong product curiosity and ability to evaluate quality, value, use case, and competitive position. Working command of retail math, gross margin, sell-through, turn, markdowns, open-to-buy, inventory productivity, and space productivity. Experience managing vendor relationships, negotiating terms, and developing practical business solutions. Proven ability to partner with Planning to deliver sales, GM dollars, inventory efficiency, and clean exits. Strong communication, follow-through, and cross-functional partnership skills. Sporting goods, outdoor, footwear, apparel, fitness, or active lifestyle experience preferred. This role is expected to: Know the product and the customer. Own the business result. Move with speed. Test, learn, and adjust. Challenge legacy assumptions. Use data without hiding behind it. Spend time in stores. Build strong cross-functional relationships. Translate strategy into action. The annual base salary range for this position is from $120,000 - $140,000. The range provided includes the base salary that we expect to pay for the role. Offered base salary will be dependent on factors including the scope and complexity of the role, candidate’s related work experience, and subject matter expertise. Big 5 Sporting Goods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable law. California Consumer Privacy Act Notice at Collection #J-18808-Ljbffr