Associate Buyer

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness.

We currently operate 1,200+ locations domestically including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and numerous MLB teams. In recent years, Lids has built partnerships with iconic global brands including Marvel, Playboy, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and gained ambassadors like Justin Jefferson, Quavo, and Josephine Skriver – creating a community for both sports fans and fashion lovers.

The company is currently expanding with the goal of becoming the largest licensed brick-and-mortar sports retailer across the globe.

General Position Summary

Work in a fast paced buying and merchandising department for a major specialty retail company. You will participate in all aspects of Buying and Merchandising within the department such as analyzing sales, inventory levels, purchase orders, trends, profitability, competition, and work closely with the your supervisors to make decisions and determine the best direction for the distribution of product within certain categories or departments inside LIDS Retail to maximize the profitability of Lids Sports Group.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Provide data and analysis for Buyers. Responsible for sales recaps to ensure the buyer(s) is able to maximize the effectiveness of all reporting.

Management responsibilities that include administering and evaluating individual performance plans and provide proper direction to merchandisers to ensure knowledge, accuracy, efficiency and sound judgment is upheld to maximize the company’s standards and performances.

Analyze reports with regards to sales, orders, inventory and trends to make accurate and efficient buying and allocation decisions that maximize the company’s profitability.

Work in tandem with buyer(s) to manage the product performance in order to achieve all financial goals.

Write purchase orders.

Review replenishment by store and make proper adjustments to ensure the company is maximizing opportunities and minimizing liabilities.

Develop strong working relationships among colleagues and vendors.

Identify and review competition and trends in the marketplace to help reach and exceed financial goals.

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion/Apparel Merchandising or related field

Have a minimum of two years direct-related retail buying or retail management experience

High degree of proficiency in MS Excel, Outlook, and Internet applications

Excellent analytical, problem solving, decision making, organizational, interpersonal, and math skills

Strong, professional and effective verbal and written communication skills

Ability to foster a positive and motivating work environment, encourage feedback, and innovation

Self-motivated with critical attention to detail and deadlines

Ability to adapt well to change in direction and priority in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment

Reports To

• Director of Buying