Associate Buyer

Finish Line•Indianapolis, IN

18d

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 by performing the following main duties:

Requirements

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.
Retail experience.
Internal JD Finish Line experience is a plus.
Strong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends within the markets.
Fully literate in Microsoft Office: PowerPoint, Word, Excel, as well as Google Suite.
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.
Should have basic to intermediate knowledge and abilities with Google Suite, Microsoft, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Sit for more than 6 hours per shift
Use hands to finger, handle and feel
Reach with hands and arms
Talk and/or hear
Walk or move from one location to another
Periodically may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch
Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally
Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position
The average work week is 40-45 hours, which can vary depending on business needs
The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting
Spending less than 15% time traveling (by air or land)

Responsibilities

Product Sourcing and Selection 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.
Vendor Management and Negotiation 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.
Inventory Management and Financial Performance 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.
Cross-Functional Collaboration 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.