Strategic Merchandise Buyer: Inventory & Growth

Warrior Sports, Inc.; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

New Balance in Lawrence, MA is seeking a Merchandise Buyer to lead the category’s assortment and buy plans to meet sales and margin targets. You will translate customer insights and competitive data into a compelling product mix and manage the lifecycle from planning to PO execution.

You will forecast demand 6–24 months, collaborate with planning, product teams, and marketing on calendars, and maintain inventory turns while ensuring timely deliveries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 1-3 years retail or related experience.
• Proficient PC skills, including MS Office Suite and advanced Excel skills
• Proficient use of retail merchandising and reporting system.
• Mastery of all components of retail math.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and make buying decisions 1-2 years in advance.
• Aptitude to analyze discrete data to identify trends, issues and opportunities
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Effective communication skills at multiple levels within the organization including senior management

Responsibilities

• Execute bottoms up planning by category, assortment and buy plans to meet financial goals.
• Partner with Merchandise Planner for open-to-buy forecasts and action steps.
• Ensure merchandise selection aligns with customer needs and satisfaction.
• Share customer and competitive landscape with cross-functional partners.
• Develop category profiles and strategy with product teams to meet needs.
• Forecast demand 6-24 months out and integrate insights into assortments.
• Create purchase orders/contracts with focus on accuracy and timelines.
• Maintain inventory turns and adjust orders/min-max as needed.
• Collaborate with Marketing on seasonal calendars and launches.
• Build business relationships with Operations and Store teams.

Skills

Retail analytics

Advanced Excel

Merchandising systems

Retail math

Strategic buying

Data interpretation

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

New Balance in Lawrence, MA is seeking a Merchandise Buyer to lead the category’s assortment and buy plans to meet sales and margin targets. You will translate customer insights and competitive data into a compelling product mix and manage the lifecycle from planning to PO execution.

You will forecast demand 6–24 months, collaborate with planning, product teams, and marketing on calendars, and maintain inventory turns while ensuring timely deliveries.