Merchandise Associate Buyer

O.C. Tanner; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Medical and Dental Benefits

11 Paid Holidays

Annual Bonus

Onsite Health Clinic, Gym and Subsidy

Job summary

O.C. Tanner seeks an Merchandise Associate Buyer in the Sports and Outdoors category to assist with merchandising and procurement, enhancing award experiences, quality, and client value.

The role plans inventory levels, communicates with vendors, and tracks supplier performance to meet delivery schedules. The candidate will analyze market trends, manage brands and assortment, and use data to optimize pricing and sell-through strategies while ensuring quality and reliability of suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Tableau.
• Procurement/negotiation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans inventory levels to optimize inventory turn and on-time delivery.
• Owns vendor communication to obtain product information, pricing, availability, and delivery schedules; ensures accuracy and maintenance of all materials.
• Tracks supplier performance and enforces contractual terms.
• Collaborates across teams to improve purchasing processes and systems.
• Identifies market trends and manages brands and assortment using data to drive sell-through and pricing decisions.
• Sourcing materials from suppliers at best price while considering quality and reliability.

Skills

Communication

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Time management

Continuous improvement

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Tableau

Job description

Merchandise Associate Buyer in the Sports and Outdoors category at O.C. Tanner. Supports Buyer with merchandising and procurement of products that improve award experience, quality, and drive value for the client.

Core Responsibilities

• Plans inventory levels to ensure optimal inventory turn and on time delivery.
• Owns communication with vendors to obtain product or service information, such as price, availability, and delivery schedule; ensures accuracy and maintenance of all materials.
• Tracks and manages supplier performance and compliance with expectations or contractual terms. Liaise with suppliers on quality, price, shipping standards, terms and conditions.
• Collaborates and discovers improvements that lead to more efficient purchasing processes and systems. Works well cross functionally and internationally with other teams.
• Identifies market trends and manages brands and assortment. Uses data effectively to make decisions on sell through, market pricing, and merchandising assortment.
• Obtains materials from suppliers at the best price consistent with considerations of quality, reliability of source and urgency of need. Keeps abreast of retail trends, supply chain and industry business practices.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong communication: interpersonal, influencing, and negotiating skills
• Data analysis
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Good time management
• Continuous improvement and growth mindset
• Lives the company culture
• Travel may be required for tradeshows or supplier meetings

Preferred Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications / Tableau
• Procurement/negotiation experience preferred

Schedule

• Hybrid: In office Monday-Wednesday, and optional remote Thursday-Friday.
• Full Medical and Dental Benefits Effective on Day 1
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Annual Bonus
• Onsite Health Clinic, Gym and Subsidized Cafe