Category Buyer

Armstrong Garden Centers is a $250 million multi-state company headquartered in Glendora, California. With a rich history and deep roots in the communities we serve, we operate a successful network of retail garden centers, a growing wholesale nursery business, and a commercial landscape division. Across all channels, our mission is to inspire and support our customers and partners with quality products, expert advice, and sustainable practices. Position Summary Armstrong Garden Centers and Pike Nurseries are seeking a strategic, trend‑driven Category Buyer to own the end‑to‑end merchandising and procurement strategy for Home Décor, Holiday/Seasonal Items, and Patio Furniture. This role leads category vision, vendor strategy, and financial performance across 46 retail locations in a multi‑region footprint, balancing creativity with disciplined execution. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Merchandising & Trend Analysis Identify and forecast consumer trends in home décor, seasonal merchandise, and outdoor living categories Develop compelling, regionally relevant assortments aligned with brand positioning and customer preferences Anticipate and mitigate inventory and demand risk inherent in seasonal and trend‑driven categories Source products from domestic and international vendors, negotiating terms including lead times, exclusivity, payment terms, freight, and margin structure Establish, manage, and strengthen vendor relationships to drive collaboration, innovation, and long‑term value Lead vendor performance reviews, ensuring accountability for quality, pricing, service levels, and on‑time delivery Identify and onboard new vendors to enhance product assortment and competitive positioning Attend trade shows and market events to discover new products and suppliers Inventory & Allocation Manage the flow of goods and replenishment across 46 retail locations in multiple states, ensuring optimal inventory levels Collaborate with store, operation and visual merchandising teams on product arrival, pricing, merchandising plan, and replenishment plan Balance inventory investment with sales performance to minimize markdowns and excess stock Own full category P&L, including sales growth, gross margin, markdown risk, and inventory investment Develop annual and seasonal category strategies aligned to business objectives and regional customer needs Monitor KPIs and adjust strategies to meet or exceed financial targets Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with marketing, store operations, and visual merchandising teams to support product launches and promotions Ensure alignment between product assortment, seasonal campaigns, and in‑store execution Qualifications & Requirements 5+ years of progressive buying or category management experience in specialty retail, lifestyle, home décor, garden, or seasonal categories Strong understanding of merchandising, pricing strategies, and gross margin management Experience sourcing products both domestically and internationally Proven experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating favorable terms Proven ability to analyze sales data and translate insights into actionable strategies Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple categories and deadlines simultaneously Proficiency in retail systems, forecasting tools, and Microsoft Excel Preferred Attributes Passion for home décor, seasonal merchandising, and outdoor living trends Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, multi‑location retail environment What Success Looks Like Strong, differentiated product assortments that drive customer engagement and sales Consistent achievement of sales, margin, and inventory turn goals Effective product flow and inventory management across all store locations High-performing vendor partnerships and innovative product sourcing Seasonal programs become more disciplined, differentiated, and profitable Armstrong Garden Centers offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to attract and retain exceptional leadership talent. Employee Ownership Armstrong is a 100% employee‑owned company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Leaders directly contribute to the long‑term financial success of the company Competitive base salary commensurate with experience Performance‑based bonus opportunities Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) plan with company match (in addition to the ESOP) Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time The opportunity to lead in a scenic, outdoor-oriented retail environment with a culture of independence and agility #J-18808-Ljbffr