Retail Buyer

SSA Consulting Group; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SSA Group seeks a Retail Buyer to join our team. The Buyer partners with the Divisional Merchandise Director and cross-functional teams to fill the assortment in assigned categories, balancing product selection with the right price and guest appeal.

You will blend data-driven analysis with creative sourcing, negotiating terms, and developing look books to support cohesive merchandising decisions across partners. This role sits at the heart of SSA Group's hospitality-focused retail strategy.

Responsibilities

• Select and purchase products that align with the DMD's merchandising strategy.
• Create look books annually, seasonally, and for special events.
• Track market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive activity.
• Partner with Planners to refine the product mix by assessing product performance.
• Phase out underperforming items and make room for emerging trends.
• Contribute to custom-branded and exclusive products for partner accounts.

Job description

SSA Group is looking for a talented Retail Buyer to join our team!

All applications should be submitted within 7-days following posting of the job; applications will be prioritized based upon time submitted and may not be reviewed beyond this time. The employer reserves the right to shorten or expand this timeframe as necessary to the job scope.

Who are we:

At SSA, we're Unapologetically Family — it's who we are and how we show up for each other, for our 90+ cultural attraction partners, and for the more than 100 million guests we welcome each year. We laugh, we celebrate our wins, and we learn from our mistakes together.

That family mindset shapes 452 Hospitality, the heartbeat of everything we do: creating special moments of hospitality that have a lasting impact, before, during, and after every guest visit. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail— to shape one seamless guest experience across the full Hospitality Experience Journey.

Whether you're looking for your first job, building your career, or bringing years of experience to a new role, you'll be part of a team that values your ideas, supports your growth, and encourages you to make an impact. More than 54% of our leaders are promoted from within — proof that when we say we invest in people, we mean it.

Retail Buyer

Position Overview

The Retail Buyer is a corporate merchandising partner at SSA, responsible for selecting, sourcing, and pricing the products that fill the assortment in their assigned categories. They report to the Divisional Merchandise Director (DMD) and work as equals with Planners, alongside Merchandise Assistants and cross-functional teams, to put the right product in the right place at the right price.

Buyers own their vendor relationships and category performance, using sales data, market trends, and guest preferences to refine the assortment, protect margin, and keep inventory balanced. The role blends analysis with creativity — from negotiating terms and reviewing samples to building look books and, in some cases, developing custom or exclusive products for partner accounts. Their core responsibility is translating the DMD's merchandising strategy into a profitable, well-sourced assortment that delights guests and delivers for partners.

Responsibilities

Merchandise Strategy & Product Selection

The Buyer shapes the assortment for their assigned categories, using the DMD's merchandising strategy as the guide and partnering with Planners as equals on what the data says. The work combines hands-on selection with ongoing trend and performance analysis.

• Select and purchase products that align with the DMD's merchandising strategy by researching potential items, evaluating samples, and deciding what belongs in the assortment
• Create look books annually, seasonally, and for special events to showcase product selections and support cohesive merchandising strategies
• Track market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive activity through sales data, trade shows, and store visits to identify emerging trends and opportunities
• Partner with Planners to refine the product mix by assessing product performance, identifying top sellers and underperformers, and shaping future assortments
• Phase out underperforming items and make room for emerging trends, working closely with Planners on the data behind each decision
• Contribute to custom-branded and exclusive products for partner accounts by working with designers, product developers, and manufacturers to meet guest needs and partner preferences

Financial Management

The Buyer is accountable for the financial performance of their categories, from the price on the shelf to the margin it delivers. They work with the DMD and Planners to set direction and draw on planning team data and analysis to turn performance trends into smart decisions.

• Collaborate with the DMD and Planner to set competitive, profitable prices through market research, cost analysis, supplier negotiation, and pricing strategy development
• Analyze sales performance and profitability by tracking sales volume, gross margin, and inventory turnover, and