Strategic Retail Buyer: Trend-Driven Merch & Growth

New Balance; Alabama; Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K

Tuition reimbursement

Lifestyle reimbursement $100 monthly

Mentorship programs

4 weeks of vacation

12 holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

New Balance is seeking a Merchandise Buyer to lead category merchandising, build assortments, and craft buy plans that meet sales and margin targets. You will translate customer needs, competitive insights, and business analysis into action across lifecycle management and vendor partnerships.

The role emphasizes collaboration with planning, product, marketing, and store operations, with a hybrid work model in North America and opportunities for growth within a respected global athletic brand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• Strong PC skills including MS Office and advanced Excel.
• Experience with retail merchandising systems and reporting tools.
• Mastery of retail math concepts and calculations.
• Ability to think and plan strategically for 1–2 years in advance.
• Aptitude to analyze discrete data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
• Effective communication across levels, including senior management.

Responsibilities

• Execute bottom-up category planning and buy plans to meet financial targets.
• Collaborate with planners to complete open-to-buy forecasts and actions.
• Ensure merchandise selections align with customer needs and satisfaction.
• Share customer insights and competitive trends with cross-functional partners.
• Develop category profiles and strategies with product merchandisers.
• Forecast demand 6–24 months out and integrate into seasonal assortment plans.
• Create purchase orders/contracts with accurate documentation and timely shipping.
• Monitor purchase orders and delivery schedules on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain optimal inventory turns and adjust orders/min-max as needed.
• Maintain strong partnerships with vendors and internal teams.
• Monitor price changes, new products, obsolescence, and opportunities to optimize inventory.
• Review demand forecasts, product performance, and inventories.
• Collaborate on Buy Planning (OTB) and support cross-functional teams.
• Support a positive team environment within Merchant Team.
• Identify strengths and drive multi-skill development.
• Coordinate with Marketing on seasonal calendars and launches.
• Build relationships with Operations and Digital Site teams for launches and optimization.
• Coordinate with Store Operations on product launches and promotions.

Skills

PC skills

Excel

Retail merchandising system

Retail math

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Critical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

New Balance is seeking a Merchandise Buyer to lead category merchandising, build assortments, and craft buy plans that meet sales and margin targets. You will translate customer needs, competitive insights, and business analysis into action across lifecycle management and vendor partnerships.

The role emphasizes collaboration with planning, product, marketing, and store operations, with a hybrid work model in North America and opportunities for growth within a respected global athletic brand.