Retail Buyer

Athletes Unlimited; Illinois; Remote; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Athletes Unlimited seeks a full-time Retail Buyer to enhance merchandise for online and in-venue channels. This role involves sourcing products, developing strategic campaigns, and managing inventory while collaborating across various departments to optimize sales performance. The ideal candidate will have experience in retail buying, particularly within the sports or lifestyle sectors.

Benefits

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans

401(k) plan with generous company match

Paid parental leave

Wellness and Development benefit

Caregiving benefit

Unlimited paid time off alongside company holidays

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in retail buying, preferably in sports or lifestyle.
• Strong understanding of ecommerce platforms and retail logistics.
• Familiarity with POS systems and retail analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase products for ecommerce and in-venue retail.
• Develop seasonal merchandise strategies aligned with brand goals.
• Manage inventory and oversee pricing and promotional planning.

Skills

Retail buying

Ecommerce platforms

Data interpretation

Communication

Organizational skills

Job description

Named one of Sports Business Journal's Best Places to Work in Sports (2024), Front Office Sports' Most Impactful Sports Organizations (2024), and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies (2023), Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experience. Athletes Unlimited stands out as an organization driven by the athletes that play in the leagues, with athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, each league led by a Player Executive Committee, and players sharing in long-term profits of the company, all while being proactive in shaping policies supporting the women that play in the league. Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit AUProSports.com.

In June 2025, AU significantly transformed and expanded its softball business by launching the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). AUSL is a premier professional women’s softball league and models traditional “city-based” leagues (e.g. WNBA and NWSL) with commensurate operations and commercial activities. The five-year goal is to grow AUSL aggressively by adding additional teams in 2026 and beyond, converting to a fully city-based model, bringing in team owners, and building out ancillary business, fan, and partner engagement opportunities.

Athletes Unlimited is looking for a Retail Buyer to join our Merchandise team to plan, select, and manage the assortment of merchandise for both online and sport venue retail channels. This role will ensure a cohesive band and product experience across platforms while optimizing sales, inventory, and margin performance. The Retail Buyer will report to the Sr. Director, E-comm & Retail Ops.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase products for ecommerce and in-venue retail, with a focus on trend relevance, performance, and profitability to drive future growth
• Develop seasonal and event-based merchandise strategies aligned with brand goals and fan demand
• Curate exclusive capsule collections and player-focused drops tailored to key seasonal moments, while managing online assortments across all leagues and categories to monitor performance and adjust as needed
• Develop compelling campaign content to support product launches, promotions, and storytelling
• Partner with vendors and the graphic design team to drive custom artwork and logo decoration opportunities across sports, ensuring alignment with licensing guidelines and overall creative strategy
• Collaborate with venue operations and retail partners to ensure timely delivery and optimal product mix per location
• Effectively negotiate with vendors regarding cost of goods, terms, freight, etc.
• Support in and out of season physical retail setups, from planning to execution, with display, signage, and visual merchandising strategies that drive sales and maximize revenue
• Own inventory management across channels and oversee day-to-day pricing and promotional planning; minimizing overstock and markdown risk
• Analyze sell-through rates, customer feedback, and product page metrics to optimize user experience and conversion
• Serve as a mentor to the Coordinator, Retail Ops and part-time retail team, supporting professional growth and operational excellence
• Work with cross-departmental teams to support the business – Sports Operations, Marketing, Creative, Digital, Distribution Center, and Finance
• Partner with Sr. Director on internal gifting initiatives and influencer product orders to support brand marketing efforts
• Assist with any special projects assigned by the Sr. Director, E-comm & Retail Ops

• 3–5 years of experience in retail buying, with a preference for prior sports, streetwear, or lifestyle industry experience
• Familiarity with POS systems and in-venue retail logistics
• Ability to interpret and act on data; proficient in Excel, Google Sheets, and retail analytics tools
• Strong understanding of ecommerce platforms and live event retail dynamics
• Experience working with licensed products, athlete collaborations, or limited-edition drops
• Passion for sports and knowledge of current leagues, athletes, fandoms, and culture
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and easily adapt to changing situations
• Possess a high level of professionalism, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Willingness to travel throughout the year for pop up events (2-3 weeks per season). Some events may require consecutive days on-site
• Legal authorization to work in the United States

This role is full-time, remote and is compensated at a range of $58,000- $65,000 annually. While this is the intended range, the actual compensation may vary based on several factors including but not limited to qualifications, skills, and geographic location of the position. We anticipate the highest end of the range will be reserved for those who exceed the hiring committee’s expectations on all measures of the evaluation process. In addition, Athletes Unlimited is proud to offer comprehensive benefits and perks to all of our full-time employees, including:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness and Development benefit
• Caregiving benefit
• Unlimited paid time off alongside company holidays

Our DEI Statement

As a company, we share a vision to change the world for the better and believe in the power of sports to tear down barriers. We will Be Unlimited in our pursuit to intentionally create an environment where every individual can be their authentic self.

Research shows that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for a job unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications. We strongly encourage you to apply even if your background is non-traditional or you might not meet every one of the qualifications described.

Athletes Unlimited is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its hiring process based on race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, pregnancy status, parental status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.