Director of Buying

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 and abroad. 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, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition, to our wide assortment we are the industry leader in on demand customization.

We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone. Creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

General Position Summary:
Reporting to the VP of Buying, the Director of Buying is responsible for the purchase and promotion of all product for their department(s) of responsibility. The primary objective for this position is profitable sales and achievement of all departmental financial goals through proper product assortment. 

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and set short-term and long-term merchandise goals and metrics. 

• Oversee the development of annual, seasonal, monthly & weekly merchandise plans across Lids. 

• Manage weekly department level open to buy activities  

• Provide expert analysis on trends and recommendations to influence cancellations, future purchases, and assortment strategies.  

• Analyze historic performance to identify areas of opportunity or risk.   

• Prepare preseason promotional and markdown strategy through partnership with buying and merchandising. 

• Directs buying to ensure adequate volume/inventory levels, integrity of quality and pricing, and to maximize all aspects of open to buy for the division.  

• Drives merchandise strategies behind business plans; works closely with planning to ensure all product opportunities are pursued and appropriately planned. 

• Collaborates with global merchandising and supply chain to ensure that we have the right assortment at the appropriate target cost. 

• Devises new and innovative business strategies for the division, driving bottom-line and top-line growth. 

• Acts as product/market expert on competition and industry trends; works closely with design team to translate knowledge into innovative, relevant business opportunities 

• Oversees assortment skew plans and final product selection for the division, ensuring costing goals are met while maximizing item impact and incorporating appropriate penetration of fashion.  

• Ensures brand consistency from design concept to in-store execution.  

• Visits stores regularly to review presentation, stock content/levels; identifies issues and solicits suggestions and comments from field team. 

• Works closely with visual and merchandising teams to strategize initiatives and marketing campaigns. 

• Ensures the buying department is organized and staffed to meet the objectives of the division. 

• Manage career paths, development, and succession plans of divisional buying team. 

Job Required Knowledge, Skills and Education:

• Experienced merchant leader with diversified background in product development, planning/distribution, and visual merchandising 

• 5+ years relevant buying experience, with specific knowledge and expertise in vertical retailing environments 

• Must have experience in driving a retail division in merchandising/buying 

• Comprehensive knowledge of current fashion/retail trends; ability to introduce innovative business ideas to the team  

• Prior management experience required; must have experience in successfully developing talent
• Strong communication skills and people development skills 
• Collaborative leadership style and strong cross-functional partnership abilities, particularly with design, marketing and planning 
• Must exhibit open and encouraging leadership style, a defined point of view 
• Strong presentation skills and ability to communicate brand strategy and vision across all levels of an organization 
• A well-organized and self-directed individual who is a team player 
• A high energy, roll-up-the-sleeves attitude with a positive approach to dealing with challenges 
• Balance of strategic business/analytical skills, creating merchandising and tactical execution 
• Proven track record of leading and growing a team 
• Outstanding leadership and people skills. Ability to manage up, down, and vertically 
• Ability to collaborate across functions and levels 
• High taste level – Experience working in elevated brand(s) 
• Must be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment 
• Must have a strong sense of urgency and ability to quickly prioritize workload 
• Excellent communication and analytical skills 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

In Order to be Successful in this Role:

• Desired prior work environment experience (fast paced), proficiency in processes, positive mindset, great work ethic, excellent communicator, proficiency in Excel.

Physical/ Travel Requirements:

• In order to perform the essential functions of this job, an employee must be able to meet the following physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle; or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop; kneel; or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception
• This position requires less than 20% travel

Reports to:

VP of Buying

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Requisition ID: 22812