Associate Buyer - Womens Athletic Apparel - Under Armour and Adidas

Academy Sports + Outdoors•Katy, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

At Academy Sports + Outdoors, our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country. We are a passionate, purpose-driven team committed to each other and our customers. We have over 80 years of experience building a culture that puts people first, creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member’s journey. Our belief in the power of fun fuels us. Here, you won’t just help customers gear up for their next adventure — you’ll launch one of your own. Whether you're starting out or leveling up, Academy is a place where fun can’t lose! This role involves taking ownership of selecting and buying merchandise that supports the growth of assigned categories. Every day brings opportunities to analyze product performance, refine assortments, and make decisions that strengthen sales and margins. Through negotiation, problem-solving, and collaboration, you’ll help deliver the right products at the right time. You will partner closely with planners to manage flow, pricing, lifecycle, and category strategies. As you monitor trends and competitor activity, you’ll identify new suppliers and product opportunities that keep your assortment fresh. Your work helps shape what customers find in our stores and how they experience our brand.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
At least 5 years of related experience in buying or merchandising
Strong communication skills across listening, speaking, and writing
Proficiency with Excel, Word, and retail systems; able to learn Oracle Retail applications
Strengths in planning, forecasting, and strategic thinking
Proven negotiation skills and comfort working with vendors
Strong organizational and prioritization abilities in a fast-moving environment
Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret trends and performance data
A team-first attitude; while your core duties are your priority, you're happy to step in wherever you're needed

Responsibilities

Take ownership of selecting and buying merchandise that supports the growth of your assigned categories.
Analyze product performance, refine assortments, and make decisions that strengthen sales and margins.
Negotiate, problem-solve, and collaborate to deliver the right products at the right time.
Partner closely with planners to manage flow, pricing, lifecycle, and category strategies.
Monitor trends and competitor activity to identify new suppliers and product opportunities.
Work side-by-side with Category Managers, Planners, Replenishment Analysts, eCommerce Merchandisers, and cross-functional partners across merchandising, supply chain, and marketing.
Build strong relationships with vendors, stores, and the distribution center.
Review ads, create Plan-O-Grams, or solve inventory challenges.