Associate Buyer (Women's Lifestyle Footwear)

Finish Line • Indianapolis, IN

32d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a passionate Associate Buyer to join our dynamic merchandising team. The ideal candidate will be supporting one of our buyers, who is responsible for sourcing, selecting, and purchasing a diverse range of footwear products that align with our brand aesthetic, target customer, and financial goals. This role requires a keen eye for trends, knowledge of retail math/financials, and an understanding of the sports fashion market. This individual will effectively exhibit JD Finish Line’s core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do.

Requirements

• Retail experience.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends within the markets.
• Organizational skills are essential, as well as ability to utilize critical thinking skills.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced buying office environment.
• Basic to intermediate knowledge and abilities with Google Suite, Microsoft, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant branded buying or merchandising experience is advantageous but not essential.
• Associates degree with a focus in the field of merchandising, buying or planning advantageous also but not essential.
• Internal JD Finish Line experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the buyer in identifying and evaluating new suppliers, brands, and product opportunities that align with company strategy and customer preferences.
• Participate in market research to stay abreast of current and emerging footwear trends, competitor activities, and consumer demands.
• Attend trade shows, fashion events, and vendor meetings to discover new products and build relationships.
• Support the buyer in curating a compelling and balanced footwear assortment across various brands & categories (e.g., classics, seasonal, basketball, running) ensuring a fresh and relevant offering.
• Analyze product performance and customer feedback to inform future buying decisions.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with new and existing suppliers.
• Monitor vendor performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards, delivery timelines, and ethical practices.
• Possess the capability to problem solve, and follow up in great detail on order placement, order tracking, and changes to deliveries/quantities.
• Resolve any issues or discrepancies with suppliers promptly and effectively.
• Partner with brands to assess performance and take action to maintain company profitability and credibility in the US market.
• Support the buyer in developing and executing seasonal buying plans, including open-to-buy (OTB) and inventory forecasts.
• Support the buyer in monitoring inventory levels, sales performance, and markdown strategies to optimize stock turnover and minimize liabilities.
• Collaborate with the planning and allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across channels.
• Analyze sales data, margins, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Collaborate with the integrated marketing teams to brief seasonal assortment plans, for the creation of our go to market (category and brand levels).
• Collaborate with visual merchandising to ensure effective product presentation in-store and online.
• Partner with the digital operations & brand team to optimize online product presentation, descriptions, and customer experience.
• Participate in presentations to provide product knowledge and training to retail, visual merchandising, and allocation as needed.

Benefits

• JD Finish Line’s commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
• Voluntary, employee-led, Employee Resource Groups
• D&I Council
• Reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, including for disabilities, pregnancy, and religious practices

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed