RETAIL BUYER, DENIM

Job Summary

The Retail Buyer is responsible for the buying, planning, and allocating of products across multiple categories within a designated division or region. This role is critical for ensuring our physical stores have the right products in the right quantities to support in-season replenishment and the long-term brand strategy. The Buyer is accountable for managing the investment and execution of buys within their division to drive retail growth.

Examples of Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the placing of buys within the assigned division, focusing on replenishment for area of responsibility (Region/Division/Category)
• Work with the Merchandise Planning team to develop balanced investment and inventory strategies for both the retail and DTC channels.
• Support with business strategies including OTB management, style/product management, promotional strategies, and product presentation for the seasonal assortment.
• Rank styles based on historical and current product performance to inform reorder strategies and identify redundancies in the product assortment.
• Manage the Purchase Order (PO) lifecycle from creation through receipt. Reconcile and report out on monthly receipts, demonstrating financial responsibility for business success.
• Manage weekly reporting and seasonal buys to support in-season strategies related to product presentation, sales targets, and inventory management.
• Work closely with the Production and Sales Ops + Customer Service teams to maintain and pre-distribute POs as needed to manage short shipments and re-allocation requirements prior to the final pick.
• Create and maintain complete and accurate details for all styles within store assortments. Track and follow through on all changes communicated by the brand production and/or merchant teams.
• Collaborate closely with other Buyers, Merchandisers, and Planners to ensure a seamless cross-channel experience for the customer.
• Conduct weekly / bi-weekly in-store meetings with Store Managers to review sales performance, solicit business feedback, and discuss local support and improvement strategies.
• Travel to retail stores out of state on an as needed basis.

Primary Focus

• Providing accurate, detailed weekly reporting and performance summaries.
• Partner with key retail management stakeholders in aligning on regional assortments, identifying opportunities for growth (challenges + risks), and inventory management as it pertains to OTB.
• Review + Execute all weekly store replenishment needs to maintain optimal stock levels.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in a Retail Buyer or Senior Associate Buyer role, managing a specific product division or region.
• Direct experience managing and accountable for Open-to-Buy (OTB).
• Strong analytical ability with expertise in retail math, sales forecasting, inventory management, and performance ranking.
• Product Merchandising and Planning experience a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, analysis) and retail inventory management systems.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Experience buying for a multi-channel business that includes both brick-and-mortar retail.
• Bachelor's Degree

Competencies & Skills

• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to lead and motivate teams. They should also be able to influence and negotiate with others.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires frequent use of a computer, mouse, and keyboard.
• Frequent sitting.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and stooping.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to travel to local retail stores.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.