Buyer - Soccer

Fanatics Commerce•Jacksonville, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Buyer owns end-to-end category management for the soccer product category, curating a compelling assortment and driving performance through product strategy and vendor partnerships. Reporting to the Divisional Merchandise Manager, the Buyer works closely with Planning, Product Development, Site Experience, Marketing, and Supply Chain to execute a category strategy aligned with brand goals and financial targets. The role uses data, automation, and AI-enabled insights to deliver results for the business and fans. The Buyer oversees category performance and financial outcomes, including sales, margin, inventory, and turn. This includes managing the Good/Better/Best framework and the product lifecycle from initial buy through markdown and exit; collaborating on pricing, promotions, markdowns, open-to-buy, receipt flow, and forecasts; and recommending actions to accelerate profitable growth. The position also builds vendor relationships, negotiates costs and terms, shapes assortments and seasonal plans, and monitors fan trends and the competitive landscape. The role is based at the company's Jacksonville, Florida office under a hybrid work policy, currently requiring in-office presence three days per week. The Buyer is also expected to apply AI and technology, use data and digital tools, adapt to new technologies, and contribute to continuous improvement.

Requirements

At least 4 years of experience in Merchandising or Buying, with proven success in assortment management and vendor partnerships.
Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to make data-informed decisions across pricing, promotion, and inventory management.
Ability to manage category financial metrics, including sales, margin, inventory turn, and open-to-buy.
Passion for product, fans, and delivering innovation at speed in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally, with high accountability and a growth mindset.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present category insights and recommendations.
High standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
Curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working.

Nice To Haves

Experience in vertical/private brand and market vendor businesses.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end category management and curate a compelling, balanced, trend-right assortment informed by data, fan insights, and product performance.
Manage in-season sales, margin, inventory, and turn, including the Good/Better/Best framework and the product lifecycle from initial buy through markdown and exit.
Use insights to make pricing, promotion, and markdown decisions that maximize category profitability.
Partner with Planning to align open-to-buy, receipt flow, and in-season reforecasting with financial targets.
Track and report category performance and recommend actions to accelerate profitable growth in support of the broader merchandising strategy.
Negotiate costs, terms, and exclusives in partnership with the Divisional Merchandise Manager and General Merchandise Manager.
Build vendor and brand relationships to drive growth, product exclusivity, and ongoing innovation.
Monitor fan trends, social signals, product sentiment, and the competitive landscape to inform category decisions and ensure relevance and differentiation.
Act as a category expert across vertical and market brands, including brand equity, cost architecture, and vendor capabilities.
Partner with Product Development to shape vertical brand assortment and optimize category positioning.
Curate the vendor matrix to improve productivity, reduce redundancy, and elevate product storytelling.
Collaborate with vendor and brand partners on seasonal strategies, assortment reviews, and go-to-market planning.
Contribute insights, tools, and best practices across the Merchandising team and support onboarding and coaching of Assistant Buyers and Coordinators.
Apply AI, technology, data, and digital tools to improve efficiency, decision quality, and performance; adapt to new technologies and contribute to continuous improvement.