Buyer

General Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for all aspects of Buying and Merchandising within the department such as analyzing sales, inventory levels, purchase orders, trends, profitability, competition, and working closely with 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

• Develop and manage the entire process and timeline for product development/selection through delivery, to include communication and coordination with vendors, price negotiation to achieve maximum margin, sample approvals, and coordination with sourcing to ensure on-time delivery of quality merchandise.
• Create seasonal assortments for the appropriate merchandise categories.  Prepare and maintain assortment plans for all categories of responsibility.
• Work with merchandising and sourcing teams to ensure appropriate planning, allocation, and order placement of specific categories.
• Research the market regularly to understand the competitive landscape and brand opportunities by category.
• Prepare and make seasonal product presentations regularly to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Compile and communicate product information to be used in direct-to-consumer marketing and operational vehicles.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelors degree in Merchandising or related field of study.
• 5+ years of related experience.
• Strong communication skills to include presentations.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong ability to make sound decisions.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Must have strong knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures of a merchandise buyer and product development.
• Must rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required to perform responsibilities.

Reports To

• Director of Buying

#LI-LS1