Associate Buyer (Women's Lifestyle Footwear)

We are seeking a passionate Associate Buyer to join our dynamic merchandising team. The ideal candidate will be supporting one of our buyers, who is responsible for sourcing, selecting, and purchasing a diverse range of footwear products that align with our brand aesthetic, target customer, and financial goals. This role requires a keen eye for trends, knowledge of retail math/financials, and an understanding of the sports fashion market. This individual will effectively exhibit JD Finish Line’s core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following main duties:Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Sourcing and SelectionSupport the buyer in identifying and evaluating new suppliers, brands, and product opportunities that align with company strategy and customer preferences.Participate in market research to stay abreast of current and emerging footwear trends, competitor activities, and consumer demands.Attend trade shows, fashion events, and vendor meetings to discover new products and build relationships.Support the buyer in curating a compelling and balanced footwear assortment across various brands & categories (e.g., classics, seasonal, basketball, running) ensuring a fresh and relevant offering.Analyze product performance and customer feedback to inform future buying decisions.Vendor Management and NegotiationBuild and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with new and existing suppliers.Monitor vendor performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards, delivery timelines, and ethical practices.Possess the capability to problem solve, and follow up in great detail on order placement, order tracking, and changes to deliveries/quantities.Resolve any issues or discrepancies with suppliers promptly and effectively.Partner with brands to assess performance and take action to maintain company profitability and credibility in the US market.Inventory Management and Financial PerformanceSupport the buyer in developing and executing seasonal buying plans, including open-to-buy (OTB) and inventory forecasts.Support the buyer in monitoring inventory levels, sales performance, and markdown strategies to optimize stock turnover and minimize liabilities.Collaborate with the planning and allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across channels.Analyze sales data, margins, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.Cross-Functional CollaborationCollaborate with the integrated marketing teams to brief seasonal assortment plans, for the creation of our go to market (category and brand levels).Collaborate with visual merchandising to ensure effective product presentation in-store and online.Partner with the digital operations & brand team to optimize online product presentation, descriptions, and customer experience.Participate in presentations to provide product knowledge and training to retail, visual merchandising, and allocation as needed.QualificationsRequired Education and/or ExperienceRelevant branded buying or merchandising experience is advantageous but not essential.Associates degree with a focus in the field of merchandising, buying or planning advantageous also but not essential.Retail experience.Internal JD Finish Line experience is a plus.Skills and CompetenciesStrong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends within the markets.Fully literate in Microsoft Office: PowerPoint, Word, Excel, as well as Google Suite.Organizational skills are essential, as well as ability to utilize critical thinking skills.Must be able to work in a fast-paced buying office environment.Required Computer and/or Technical SkillsShould have basic to intermediate knowledge and abilities with Google Suite, Microsoft, Excel, and PowerPoint.Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Sit for more than 6 hours per shiftUse hands to finger, handle and feelReach with hands and armsTalk and/or hearWalk or move from one location to anotherPeriodically may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouchLift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionallyPunctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the positionThe average work week is 40-45 hours, which can vary depending on business needsThe work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office settingSpending less than 15% time traveling (by air or land)The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.#LI-DNIThis job description is not intended to cover all aspects, duties, and/or responsibilities required of employees. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary or permanent basis per company policy. The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice.EEO Statement:The Finish Line, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws. The Finish Line, Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other characteristic or class protected by law. The Finish Line, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, including for disabilities, pregnancy, and religious practices.Need accessibility assistance to apply?Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application can either call Finish Line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. A member of our Talent Acquisition team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. (This email address and phone number is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a job.) #J-18808-Ljbffr