Associate Buyer

Cracker Barrel•Lebanon, TN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

They say you are the company you keep - and at Cracker Barrel, we take that seriously. At the Store Support Center, we’re in the business of serving those who serve our guests. Whether you’re designing solutions, telling our story, or setting our teams up for success, your work makes a difference every single day. Here, the work means more because we take pride in doing it together. So, join our team and find your place, because here...we’re all in good company. What You'll Do - You'll Make the Moment Essential Duties and Responsibilities Category Ownership & Strategy Own a defined product category or subcategory, including assortment strategy, vendor matrix, and financial performance Develop and execute seasonal and annual assortment plans aligned to customer needs, brand positioning, and business goals Champion the guest perspective in all assortment decisions, ensuring products deliver on value, storytelling, and in-store experience Product Development & Assortment Curation Identify product opportunities through trend analysis, competitive shopping, and sales insights Lead product ideation and development, translating trends and customer insights into compelling, differentiated assortments Curate assortments across newness, core replenishment, and SKU rationalization to maximize productivity and growth Build assortments optimized for both store and digital channels, incorporating customer behavior and purchase patterns Financial Ownership & Inventory Management Co-own OTB, receipt flow, and inventory investment decisions with Planning to deliver on sales, margin, and turn targets Apply retail math and analytical insights to balance growth, profitability, and inventory productivity Monitor category performance and proactively adjust strategy based on business trends In-Season Business Management Drive rapid, data-informed decisions on reorders, markdowns, consolidations, and product exits to optimize financial outcomes Manage end-of-life strategies, including markdown optimization and SKU rationalization Continuously evaluate top vs. bottom performing SKUs and take decisive action to improve productivity Vendor Strategy & Management Own vendor relationships for assigned categories, including sourcing, negotiations, cost management, and performance reviews Build and evolve the vendor matrix to ensure the right mix of strategic partners and productivity drivers Partner with vendors on innovation, product development, and cost optimization opportunities Cross-Functional Leadership Collaborate closely with Planning, Allocation, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Store Operations to bring assortments to market effectively Present category strategies, performance insights, and recommendations to leadership Influence cross-functional decisions through strong communication and business insight

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field
3+ years of experience in retail buying, merchandising, or related functions
Experience owning or significantly influencing a product category or assortment
Experience with assortment planning and forecasting tools
Experience in multi-channel retail (store + e-commerce)
Experience working directly with vendors on product development or sourcing
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, inventory, and financial data
Solid understanding of retail math, margins, and inventory management principles
Demonstrated ability to own or influence a category, assortment decisions, or key business outcomes
Strong product judgment with a balance of trend awareness, customer insight, and commercial instincts
Ability to make decisions by combining data, intuition, and brand perspective
Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills
Strong communication and cross-functional leadership capabilities
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and retail/merchandising systems
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills

Responsibilities

Own a defined product category or subcategory, including assortment strategy, vendor matrix, and financial performance
Develop and execute seasonal and annual assortment plans aligned to customer needs, brand positioning, and business goals
Champion the guest perspective in all assortment decisions, ensuring products deliver on value, storytelling, and in-store experience
Identify product opportunities through trend analysis, competitive shopping, and sales insights
Lead product ideation and development, translating trends and customer insights into compelling, differentiated assortments
Curate assortments across newness, core replenishment, and SKU rationalization to maximize productivity and growth
Build assortments optimized for both store and digital channels, incorporating customer behavior and purchase patterns
Co-own OTB, receipt flow, and inventory investment decisions with Planning to deliver on sales, margin, and turn targets
Apply retail math and analytical insights to balance growth, profitability, and inventory productivity
Monitor category performance and proactively adjust strategy based on business trends
Drive rapid, data-informed decisions on reorders, markdowns, consolidations, and product exits to optimize financial outcomes
Manage end-of-life strategies, including markdown optimization and SKU rationalization
Continuously evaluate top vs. bottom performing SKUs and take decisive action to improve productivity
Own vendor relationships for assigned categories, including sourcing, negotiations, cost management, and performance reviews
Build and evolve the vendor matrix to ensure the right mix of strategic partners and productivity drivers
Partner with vendors on innovation, product development, and cost optimization opportunities
Collaborate closely with Planning, Allocation, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Store Operations to bring assortments to market effectively
Present category strategies, performance insights, and recommendations to leadership
Influence cross-functional decisions through strong communication and business insight