Merchandising Buyer

Rooms To Go Corporate (Our Company)•Arlington, MA

About The Position

The Merchandising Buyer manages product flow from vendors through distribution centers to stores, ensuring the right inventory is available at the right time and cost. The role partners with merchandising, logistics, and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels, improve in-stock performance, and support sales and margin goals. The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, and experienced in managing vendor relationships within a complex retail supply chain. The position maintains inventory for assigned categories, analyzes sales and forecast data, manages replenishment, and monitors aged or excess inventory. It coordinates shipments and purchase orders with logistics and distribution teams, manages vendor performance and communications, and tracks inventory and supply chain metrics. The buyer collaborates across merchandising, planning, logistics, distribution, and store operations, aligning inventory with promotions, seasonal shifts, and launches and providing data-based recommendations to leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or similar years of experience.
3–6 years of experience in buying, merchandising, inventory management, or supply chain within retail or consumer goods.
Strong understanding of inventory planning, replenishment, and supply chain fundamentals.
Proven ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable decisions.
Experience working with ERP, inventory management, or merchandising systems.
Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with large datasets.
Analytical and detail-driven, with strong problem-solving skills.
Organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills with vendors and internal partners.
Comfortable making data-backed decisions under changing conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in high-volume or multi-location retail.
Exposure to domestic and/or international sourcing and logistics.
Familiarity with distribution center operations and transportation workflows.

Responsibilities

Maintain inventory levels for assigned categories, balancing in-stock performance, inventory turn, and sales.
Analyze sales trends, forecasts, and historical data to inform buying decisions.
Manage replenishment cycles, safety stock, and lead times to minimize stockouts and overages.
Monitor aged, slow-moving, and excess inventory and recommend corrective actions.
Analyze marketing and advertising inventory levels and product flow.
Partner with logistics and distribution teams to ensure timely inbound shipments.
Track purchase orders from placement through delivery, proactively addressing delays or disruptions and rebalancing.
Collaborate on transportation strategies, container utilization, and delivery scheduling.
Support supply chain initiatives focused on cost reduction, efficiency, and service-level improvements.
Manage vendor relationships, including order accuracy, lead times, fill rates, and compliance.
Communicate demand changes, forecasts, and delivery requirements to suppliers.
Support negotiations related to freight terms, minimum order quantities, and lead times.
Track inventory turn, weeks of supply, in-stock percentage, and vendor performance.
Identify risks and opportunities related to demand shifts, supply constraints, or logistics challenges.
Support margin and cost objectives through disciplined buying and supply chain optimization.
Partner with Merchandising, Planning, Logistics, Distribution, and Store Operations.
Align inventory strategies with promotions, seasonal shifts, and new product launches.
Provide insights and recommendations to leadership based on data and market conditions.