Senior Buyer - Retail Food

Senior Buyer - Retail Food

They say you are the company you keep - and at Cracker Barrel, we take that seriously. At the Store Support Center, we're in the business of serving those who serve our guests. Whether you're designing solutions, telling our story, or setting our teams up for success, your work makes a difference every single day. Here, the work means more because we take pride in doing it together. So, join our team and find your place, because here...we're all in good company.

What You'll Do - You'll Make the Moment

• Develop and execute end-to-end core and seasonal category strategies to achieve sales, margin, and inventory goals
• Present strategy, performance, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Lead line review process and product selection across assigned categories
• Analyze business performance, consumer insights, and market trends to optimize assortments and identify growth opportunities
• Build and maintain a strong vendor matrix, including negotiating cost, terms, promotional support, and exclusivity where applicable
• Partner closely with Planning, Allocation, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Visual Merchandising to ensure executional excellence
• Lead private label and co-packed product development initiatives that align with brand strategy and enhance the customer experience
• Evaluate and manage in-season performance, making agile decisions to drive sales and reduce risk
• Manage, coach, and develop buyers, fostering growth in both merchandising acumen and professional skill sets
• Create a collaborative and supportive team environment that empowers junior team members to take ownership and build confidence in decision-making

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field
• 5-7+ years of buying or category management experience in a retail or consumer goods environment
• Preferred experience in consumer packaged goods, co-packing, or private label development, ideally within food or specialty retail
• Prior experience managing direct reports or mentoring junior team members
• Strong financial acumen with a proven track record of managing an open to buy, forecasting, and driving sales growth
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and leading both internal and external partnerships
• Highly analytical with a data-driven mindset and proficiency in Excel and merchandising systems
• Passion for product, customer experience, and retail innovation
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities

Focus on You

We're all about making sure you're taken care of too. Here's what's in it for you:

• Good Work Deserves Good Pay: Competitive Annual Salary | Annual Bonus Opportunities
• Support That Goes Beyond the Clock: Medical, Rx, Dental and Vision Benefits on Day 1| Life Insurance and Disability Coverage | Paid Vacation/Employee Assistance Program
• Grow and Thrive Your Way: Business Resource Groups | Tuition Reimbursement | Professional Development
• Culture of Belonging: Support that starts on day one | Onboarding, training, and development to help you thrive | Recognition programs and employee events that bring us together
• Invest in Your Future: 401k Plan with Company Matching Contributions at 90 days | Employee Stock Purchase Program
• More Perks, Just Because: 35% Discount on Cracker Barrel Food and Retail items | Exclusive Biscuit Perks like discounts on home, travel, cell phones, and more!

A Little About Us

Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been a place to gather around delicious food, abundant servings, unexpected finds, and a warm welcome. Over time, it's become even more - somewhere folks can reconnect and feel at home. With more than 70,000 team members nationwide, we take pride in our roots -- always serving up more than a meal.

See for yourself. Apply now.

Cracker Barrel is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or any other class expressly protected by law.