Associate Buyer

Columbia Sportswear Company; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company is seeking an Associate Buyer to partner on seasonal buys and long-term strategies for Footwear and Accessories. You will assist with financial investments, store assortments, in-season pricing, and inventory management to drive sales and gross margin.

You'll work with cross-functional teams to influence product development and optimize assortments for stock levels and markdown strategies in a hybrid role based near Portland, OR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• 2–4 years of professional experience preferred.
• Strong Excel and presentation skills required.
• Familiarity with retail merchandising concepts a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with seasonal buys and long-term strategy for Footwear and Accessories.
• Manage in-season price and inventory to maximize gross margin.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop optimal assortments.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Written communication

Verbal communication

Merchandising

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Illustrator

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The North America Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) team focuses on our outlet, brand, and employee stores within the US and Canada. From merchandising to retail marketing to retail operations,there is a highly collaborative team working "behind the scenes" to ensure our consumers have a positive experience in our stores.

The AssociateBuyerisresponsible forpartnering withtheteam on seasonal buys and long-term strategies for Footwear and Accessories. This roleassistswith allfacetsof buying including the financial investments of each item, assortments by store, marketing, in-season price and inventory management, and the execution of product. They will partner cross-functionally and influencethe development ofoptimalassortments to maximize sales and gross margin.

HOWYOU'LLMAKEA DIFFERENCE

• Partners with team members on product assortments including style selection and product flow ensuringsynergywith financial plans.

• Develops and presents assortments supporting overall strategy of in-stock positioning for key merchandise categories, balanced presentations, andaccurateandtimelyreceipt flow.

• Partners with team members on in-season business management including inventory management and price strategies to increase sales and improve gross margin.

• Collaborates with cross-functional partners to maximize sales and ensure store execution.

• Partners with Planning team on future forecasts of sales trends, merchandise availability, and other changes in the business. Manages inventory levels through price optimization of markdowns and promotions.

• Partners with Allocation team on product execution ensuringtimelydelivery and replenishment of all products throughout the season to maximize sales.

• Partners to ensure cohesive execution of product through marketing and visual merchandising.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

YOU ARE

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Illustrator experiencepreferred

• Strong inwritten and verbal communication

• Familiar with retail industry and specific metricsused

YOUHAVE

• Bachelor's degree, applicablecertificationor equivalent experience

• 2-4 years of professional experience

• Excellent presentation skills

#LI-CS1

#LI-hybrid

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.At Columbia Sportswear Company, we're proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family's financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [e-mail] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.