Retail Buyer - Jr's

Citi Trends, Inc.; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi Trends, Inc. is seeking a Junior's Buyer to drive trend-right off-price assortments for the Junior's category.

You will source and negotiate with vendors, identify emerging fashion directions, and curate compelling product offerings that deliver value to our customers. In this role, you will collaborate with Planning, Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce, and Store Operations to implement seasonal strategies and optimize profitability.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of retail buying experience, preferably in off-price or fast-fashion environments.
• Strong understanding of Junior's apparel and fashion trends.
• Proven negotiating skills with vendors and suppliers.
• Analytical mindset with ability to leverage data to drive assortments.

Responsibilities

• Develop trend-right Junior's assortments aligned with demand and company goals.
• Source and negotiate product within off-price marketplace with brands.
• Identify trends from social media, silhouettes, colors to inform buying.
• Analyze sales, inventory productivity, margins, and customer behavior to guide assortments.
• Collaborate with Planning, Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce, and Store Operations to execute seasonal strategies.
• Manage product life cycles, reorders, markdowns, and inventory actions.
• Attend markets and vendor events to discover new brands and sourcing opportunities.
• Monitor trends across denim, dresses, knit tops, fashion tops, bottoms, activewear, sets, outerwear to ensure relevant assortment.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to balance fashion, value, quality, and customer demand.

Skills

Retail buying

Vendor negotiation

Data-driven decision making

Trend forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Merchandising or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

0983 NY Office Citi Trends, 1385 Broadway, Suite 1108 New York, NY 10018

Position

Buyer

External Description

Are you passionate about youth fashion, emerging trends, and discovering the next must-have styles for the Junior's customer?We're looking for a results-drivenJunior's Buyerwith strong off-price retail experience to build exciting assortments that deliver exceptional value while driving profitable sales growth.

In this role, you'll identify emerging fashion trends, cultivate strategic vendor relationships, and curate assortments that resonate with today's trend-conscious, value-focused Junior's customer. You'll combine fashion intuition, business acumen, and negotiation expertise to bring compelling product to market at the right time, trend, and price point.

What You'll Do

• Drive the Junior's business by developing trend-right assortments that align with customer demand, seasonal opportunities, and company objectives.
• Source and negotiate product within the off-price marketplace while building strong partnerships with vendors, brands, and manufacturers.
• Identify emerging fashion trends, social media influences, silhouettes, colors, and key fashion movements to inform buying strategies.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory productivity, margin results, and customer purchasing behaviors to make informed assortment decisions.
• Collaborate closely with Planning, Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce, and Store Operations to execute seasonal strategies and maximize performance.
• Manage product life cycles, recommending reorders, markdowns, and inventory actions to optimize sales and profitability.
• Attend markets, trade shows, vendor appointments, and industry events to discover new brands, trends, and sourcing opportunities.
• Monitor trends across denim, dresses, knit tops, fashion tops, bottoms, activewear, matching sets, outerwear, and seasonal fashion categories to ensure a relevant and profitable assortment.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop assortments that balance fashion, value, quality, and customer demand.

What You Bring

• 3-5+ years of retail buying experience, preferably withinoff-price, value retail, department store, specialty apparel, or fast-fashion environments.
• Strong understanding of the Junior's apparel business, including fashion trends, fit, fabrication, social influences, brand awareness, and customer preferences.
• Proven success negotiating with vendors and developing strategic supplier relationships.
• Analytical mindset with demonstrated ability to leverage data to drive profitable assortment decisions.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with merchandise planning and reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple classifications simultaneously while thriving in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for identifying emerging trends, fashion opportunities, and new brands.
• Knowledge of cultural, social media, and fashion influences that drive Junior's purchasing behavior.
• Willingness to travel up to 40%.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, Business, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field preferred.

Why This Role Matters

As aJunior's Buyer, you'll play a critical role in shaping one of the most trend-sensitive categories within our business. Your buying decisions will influence the styles our customers discover every day, strengthen vendor partnerships, and drive sales growth through fashion-forward, value-oriented assortments. This role blends trend forecasting, consumer insight, business strategy, and negotiation, making it ideal for a merchant who thrives on identifying what's next and delivering exciting product that resonates with today's Junior's customer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diversity, equity, and belonging.