Sr. Buyer, Apparel

Kroger; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Employee assistance program

Associate discounts

Tuition reimbursement up to $21,000

Growth and training opportunities

Job summary

Kroger is seeking an experienced Category Manager/Merchandising professional in Portland, OR to drive budgeted sales, gross margin, and market share for the assigned category. You will develop assortment, manage vendor relationships, and coordinate pricing strategies to maximize sales and profit.

You will lead cross-divisional plans, monitor trends, and create end-to-end sales and advertising plans. Travel is required to support enterprise needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field plus two years combined Assistant Buyer and Assistant Planner experience; or combination of relevant education and experience
• Ability to organize/prioritize tasks/projects
• Familiarity with retail industry/technical terms and processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to continue education
• Familiarity with commodity markets
• Experience directing/participating on project teams

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate corporate strategic category plans with focus on division's needs
• Maintain an awareness of current sales trends and assesses impact on business needs
• Create business plan for the category and communicates to divisions
• Create end-to-end sales plan, display plans and ad plans customized for each division
• Review sales, profit and promotional performance by division
• Locate and select new products
• Price merchandise under IMU pricing or other corporate pricing strategies
• Manage vendor relationship for the enterprise, including negotiating vendor allowances and payment terms
• Review vendor stock status against period estimates and orders
• Develop Kroger-specific selling programs for category
• Partner with Planner on financial planning, vendor financial plans and strategies
• Participate in floor planning and planogramming processes
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of industry trends, competitive landscape across the enterprise and regional needs
• Conduct store tours across the enterprise
• Develop advertising campaigns; selects merchandise to advertise
• Work with Product Development team to establish, buy, and market private label product
• Develop Corporate Brand strategy and implements in all markets
• Support and assists with research and resolution for bi-way requests
• Supervise and coach direct reports; complete performance reviews and feedback
• Travel independently on a regular basis
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Skills

Organization and prioritization

Retail industry familiarity

Project teamwork experience

Analytical business planning

Communication of category plans

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Work with planner to develop and attains budgeted sales, gross margin, and market share for assigned category. Locate and select assortment for the enterprise and manages vendor relationships to maximize sales, margin and minimize cost. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate corporate strategic category plans with focus on division's needs
• Maintain an awareness of current sales trends and assesses impact on business needs
• Create business plan for the category and communicates to divisions
• Create end-to-end sales plan, display plans and ad plans customized for each division
• Review sales, profit and promotional performance by division
• Locate and select new products
• Price merchandise under IMU pricing or other corporate pricing strategies, maintaining competitiveness while maximizing sales and profit potential; coordinates with pricing analyst on competitive price checks and following corporate pricing strategies
• Manage vendor relationship for the enterprise, including negotiating vendor allowances and payment terms
• Review vendor stock status against period estimates and orders, as necessary
• Develop Kroger-specific selling programs for category
• Partner with Planner on financial planning, vendor financial plans and strategies
• Participate in floor planning and planogramming processes
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of industry trends, competitive landscape across the enterprise and regional needs
• Conduct store tours across the enterprise
• Develop advertising campaigns; selects merchandise to advertise
• Work with Product Development team to establish, buy, and market private label product
• Develop Corporate Brand strategy and implements in all markets, including procured product lines in assigned categories
• Support and assists with research and resolution for bi-way requests
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provides feedback to direct reports
• Travel independently on a regular basis
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field plus two years combined Assistant Buyer and Assistant Planner experience; or combination of relevant education and experience
• Ability to organize/prioritize tasks/projects
• Familiarity with retail industry/technical terms and processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to continue education
• Familiarity with commodity markets
• Experience directing/participating on project teams

Job Info

• Job Identification 231872
• Job Category Category Management/Merchandising
• Posting Date 09/21/2026, 03:45 PM
• Locations 3800 SE 22nd Ave, Portland, OR, 97202, US (On-site)

The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you.