Associate Buyer

Date: Mar 5, 2026

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46278

Store # - Mall Name: Corporate Office

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness.

We currently operate 1,200+ locations domestically and 50+ internationally, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and numerous MLB teams. In recent years, Lids has built partnerships with iconic global brands including Marvel, Playboy, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and gained ambassadors like Justin Jefferson, Quavo, and Josephine Skriver – creating a community for both sports fans and fashion lovers.

The company is currently expanding with the goal of becoming the largest licensed brick-and-mortar sports retailer across the globe.

General Position Summary

Work in a fast paced buying and merchandising department for a major specialty retail company. You will participate in all aspects of Buying and Merchandising within the department such as analyzing sales, inventory levels, purchase orders, trends, profitability, competition, and work closely with the your supervisors to make decisions and determine the best direction for the distribution of product within certain categories or departments inside LIDS Retail to maximize the profitability of Lids Sports Group.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Provide data and analysis for Buyers. Responsible for sales recaps to ensure the buyer(s) is able to maximize the effectiveness of all reporting.

Management responsibilities that include administering and evaluating individual performance plans and provide proper direction to merchandisers to ensure knowledge, accuracy, efficiency and sound judgment is upheld to maximize the company’s standards and performances.

Analyze reports with regards to sales, orders, inventory and trends to make accurate and efficient buying and allocation decisions that maximize the company’s profitability.

Work in tandem with buyer(s) to manage the product performance in order to achieve all financial goals.

Write purchase orders.

Review replenishment by store and make proper adjustments to ensure the company is maximizing opportunities and minimizing liabilities.

Develop strong working relationships among colleagues and vendors.

Identify and review competition and trends in the marketplace to help reach and exceed financial goals.

Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion/Apparel Merchandising or related field

Have a minimum of two years direct-related retail buying or retail management experience

High degree of proficiency in MS Excel, Outlook, and Internet applications

Excellent analytical, problem solving, decision making, organizational, interpersonal, and math skills

Strong, professional and effective verbal and written communication skills

Ability to foster a positive and motivating work environment, encourage feedback, and innovation

Self-motivated with critical attention to detail and deadlines

Ability to adapt well to change in direction and priority in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment

Preferred Job Required Knowledge & Skills

Education

Reports To

Director of Buying

Employment Requirements
Candidates must possess the experience, skills, physical abilities, and qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the role and must be able to meet all applicable employment standards. Being legally authorized to work in the United States is a pre-condition of employment for this position. Current or future employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Applicants
In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to, or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information we collect include your name, email address, mailing address, other contact information, employment history, and educational history. We collect and use this information for human resources and business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating candidates for employment or future contract opportunities, and maintaining recruiting and hiring records. Upon a conditional job offer, we may require additional Personal Information for business purposes and background checks as permitted by law, including but not limited to government-issued identification numbers, work authorization, emergency contact information, criminal record information, and demographic data used for analytics and compliance with applicable legal requirements and Company policies.

Need Accessibility Assistance?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application may email hr@lids.com. A member of our Talent team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. This email address is only for individuals seeking reasonable accommodation when applying for a career at Lids.