Buyer/Assortment Manager
Posted by Wilderness Exchange on 09/13/2023
Job Basics
Industry Sector: Outdoor, Snow
Job Categories: Retail - Management- Staff
Company Type: Apparel/SoftGoods, HardGoods/Equipment, Service, Retail
State: CO
City: Denver
Country: United States
Required Experience: 1 - 3 years
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $22.00+/hr DOE
Required to Relocate: Yes
Required to Travel: No
Employee May Telecommute: No
Job Seeker Must Live Within: 25 miles
Job Description & Requirements
Position Available: Buyer/Assortment Manager
Full/Part Time: Full Time (40hrs/wk)
Compensation: $22+/hr DOE
Job Description & Responsibilities:
Our mission is to make the outdoors more affordable and accessible. We serve the Front Range climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, backcountry skiing and split-boarding community with the highest level of customer service, the deepest selection of technical gear, and the best deals to be found on outdoor equipment anywhere. Successfully buying for hard goods categories as well as assorting multiple categories cross-departmentally for an omni-channel specialty retail operation requires an intimate knowledge of mountain adventure sports as well as a big-picture awareness of greater industry market trends, a precise and analytical view of inventory and financial metrics, and an art of curating a logical assortment that offers our customers value and clear choices. Below are the fundamental responsibilities of the position:
Buying/ Assorting
Buying for over 50 major lines including all snow sports, summer camping, and backpacking categories
Never being over-inventoried. Never being under-inventoried.
Accurately creating product in the POS system
Communicating all copywriting needs and ensuring that all product is accurately represented on web site
Adeptly maneuvering programs around the dynamic nature of closeout and off-priced buying that is fundamental to the Wilderness Exchange assortment
Assorting SKUS from multiple vendors to work together logically in presenting customers with a category story and a “good/better/best” proposition that provides value and clear choices
Category Management
Directing all merchandising and product placement of categories including signage programs in coordination with MOD’s and other floor stakeholders to ensure all priorities are communicated to staff.
Directing all closeout product logistics that fall under categories managed and directing appropriate placement and stocking of all off-priced offerings in coordination with MOD’s
Communicating all PO’s, revisions, and all incoming product through intra-company email
Communicating and resolving order discrepancies with Shipping and Receiving Department
Reporting/ Analytics
Monitoring category and sub category performance metrics using reporting tools in POS system for analysis
Monitoring sell-through and maximizing inventory turns
Reporting and communicating distressed inventory to Management and Buying team and conducting appropriate markdowns. Monitoring all MAP requirements and judiciously executing in-store specials end-of-season mark-downs aligned with all vendor policies
Monitoring performance of lines and granular SKUS across all channels of commerce and adjusting buying strategies for on-line sales when appropriate. Being “flush for the rush” when items become hot on-line and on 3rd party marketplaces.
Relationship Management
Maintaining excellent relationships with Sales Reps and in-house CS and Rep contacts with vendors
Maintaining active vendor list in Google Drive
Soliciting and accepting input from sales floor on gaps in assortment and customer requests
Leadership Team
Contributing member of the leadership team
Ability to grow and mentor other staff
Other Job Requirements:
1-3 years previous buying experience in the outdoor industry is required
In-depth knowledge of the categories you will be buying for is required
Good sense of humor is preferred, but not required
Benefits Include, but are not limited to:
Health Care for Full-Time Staff
PTO for Full Time Staff
Paid sick leave for all staff
Matching 401K
4-Day work week (so that you have time to play outside)
Pro-Deals and discounts on gear
Always have a climbing/skiing partner
If you think you are a good fit for this position, please send a professional resume and an outdoor resume to the following hiring managers:
Jeff Keele - jeff@wildernessx.com
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About Wilderness Exchange
Wilderness Exchange was founded in 2000 with a twofold mission: To make getting outdoors more affordable and accessible to ALL outdoor enthusiasts and to employ a sales staff passionate about mountain adventure sports in order to provide the highest level of customer service. These values have proven enduring and timeless. Through our own journey from a small consignment shop to one of the leading independent outdoor retailers in the country, this core focus on the customer experience is cornerstone to our success.
The work environment at Wilderness Exchange is fairly relaxed, but can be fast-paced at times. There is usually always hot coffee available in the morning and cold beer after closing. We are a small group of enthusiastic athletes and outdoor adventurers, so finding an adventure partner is never very difficult. We welcome ALL qualified applicants and strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion amongst our team, our outdoor community, and the Outdoor Industry.
