Associate Buyer: Sports & Outdoors Merchandising & Growth

Academy Sports and Outdoors; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking a Merchandise Buyer in Katy, TX to own selection and buying for assigned categories. You will analyze performance, refine assortments, and negotiate with suppliers to improve sales and margins.

You will partner with Category Managers and Planners to manage flow, pricing, lifecycle, and category strategies. The role requires strong planning, forecasting, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• At least 5 years of related experience in buying or merchandising.
• Strong communication across listening, speaking, and writing.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word, and retail systems; Oracle Retail.
• Strong planning, forecasting and strategic thinking; negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Own selecting and buying merchandise to grow assigned categories.
• Analyze product performance, refine assortments and drive sales/margins.
• Negotiate with suppliers and manage flow, pricing, lifecycle and category strategies.
• Collaborate with planners and cross‑functional partners to keep assortment fresh.
• Monitor trends and competitors to identify new suppliers and opportunities.

Skills

Merchandising

Buying experience

Negotiation

Forecasting

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Word

retail systems

Oracle Retail

Job description

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeking a Merchandise Buyer in Katy, TX to own selection and buying for assigned categories. You will analyze performance, refine assortments, and negotiate with suppliers to improve sales and margins.

You will partner with Category Managers and Planners to manage flow, pricing, lifecycle, and category strategies. The role requires strong planning, forecasting, and cross‑functional collaboration.