Senior Buyer

Big Ray's; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) with company match

Employee discount

Opportunities for growth and advance

Job summary

Big Ray’s, a locally owned Alaskan retailer, seeks a Senior Buyer to lead merchandising strategy and growth in Anchorage. You’ll shape what we stock, balance sales, margins, and inventory, and manage a multi‑million‑dollar budget across departments.

You’ll work with vendors, stores, and leadership to turn data and market trends into profitable assortments, own the Open-to-Buy process, and drive inventory performance across Alaska’s stores.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of retail experience.
• 3+ years in buying/purchasing/procurement.
• Experience with product planning and sales forecasting.
• Experience managing an Open-to-Buy.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Strong merchandising and product judgment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute merchandising strategies to meet sales, margin, and inventory goals.
• Manage and adhere to Open-to-Buy for assigned department(s).
• Analyze sales, margin, inventory turn, sell-through, and product performance.
• Use market trends and analytics to build profitable assortments.
• Determine what to buy, how much to buy, when to buy, and how merchandise should be distributed across stores.
• Identify opportunities and know when to chase a product or pull back.
• Manage the full merchandise lifecycle from planning and procurement through pricing, promotion, inventory management, and liquidation.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Collaborate with stores, warehouse, marketing, and leadership to support inventory needs and merchandise flow.
• Attend trade shows, markets, and industry events to stay current on trends and identify new opportunities.
• Take ownership of the financial and inventory performance of assigned department(s).

Skills

Retail experience

Buying/purchasing

Forecasting

Open-to-Buy

Analytical skills

Vendor management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Senior Buyer – Lead Merchandising Strategy & Drive Growth

Location: Anchorage, AK

Pay: Competitive Salary | Exempt

Schedule: Full-Time | On-Site

Company Description

Since 1947, Big Ray’s has been locally owned and proudly Alaskan, with locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kodiak. Our people live, work, and play here, bringing real experience and passion to everything we do.

We’re known for exceptional customer service and for helping people get the right gear for all that Alaska has to offer. Being part of Big Ray’s means joining a business with deep local roots, a reputation built over decades, and a culture that values expertise, authenticity, and a true connection to Alaska.

At Big Ray’s, we are proud to have been outfitting Alaskans for over 75 years. In a retail landscape that is constantly changing, our Core Values have never wavered.

Our Core Values:

• Integrity
• Respect

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Buyer plays a key role in shaping what Big Ray's sells and how our merchandise performs. You'll develop and execute the merchandising strategy for your assigned department(s), balancing sales, margin, inventory, market trends, and customer demand.

This role manages a multi-million-dollar budget and significant inventory, making strategic purchasing decisions that directly impact the financial performance of the business.

What's in It for You?

This is an opportunity to take real ownership of a department and make decisions that have a direct impact on the business. You'll work closely with vendors, stores, warehouse, marketing, and leadership while managing the full lifecycle of the merchandise you purchase.

If you're someone who understands the numbers, has a strong eye for product, and knows how to turn data and trends into smart buying decisions, this could be a great fit.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute merchandising strategies that support sales, margin, and inventory goals.
• Manage and adhere to Open-to-Buy for assigned department(s).
• Analyze sales, margin, inventory turn, sell-through, and product performance to guide purchasing decisions.
• Use market trends, customer insights, and analytics to build profitable assortments.
• Determine what to buy, how much to buy, when to buy, and how merchandise should be distributed across stores.
• Identify opportunities and know when to chase a product or pull back.
• Manage the full merchandise lifecycle from planning and procurement through pricing, promotion, inventory management, and liquidation.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Collaborate with stores, warehouse, marketing, and leadership to support inventory needs and merchandise flow.
• Attend trade shows, markets, and industry events to stay current on trends and identify new opportunities.
• Take ownership of the financial and inventory performance of assigned department(s).

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of retail experience.
• 3+ years of experience in buying, purchasing, procurement, or a related field.
• Experience with product planning, sales forecasting, and significant or multi-million-dollar budgets.
• Experience managing and adhering to an Open-to-Buy.
• Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Strong merchandising and product judgment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Ability to make independent decisions and take ownership of results.
• Associate degree or equivalent experience; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Willingness to travel for trade shows, markets, vendor meetings, and other business needs.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee discount
• Opportunities for growth and advancement

Ready to Join the Team?

If you're ready to take ownership of a department, combine financial strategy with product expertise, and help shape what Big Ray's brings to customers across Alaska, we'd love to hear from you.