Retail Buyer Manager

Job Title: Retail Buyer & Store Manager

Location: San Diego, CA 92110

Salary: $5,720 – $5,950/month + excellent benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, campus fitness access)

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours/week, flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented Retail Buyer & Store Manager with strong apparel and merchandise sourcing experience to lead a dynamic campus retail operation. This position will oversee the full buying cycle for apparel, emblematic merchandise, and gifts while managing store operations, merchandising, and staff development. The ideal candidate combines creative product vision with analytical business acumen to deliver an engaging shopping experience for students, faculty, alumni, and guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of apparel, emblematic, and gift buying — from trend research and vendor selection to purchase orders and delivery timelines

• Negotiate vendor contracts, pricing, and terms to maximize profit margins and maintain strong supplier relationships

• Conduct market and trend analysis to identify new product opportunities and seasonal assortments

• Manage open-to-buy budgets, sales forecasting, and gross margin performance

• Oversee visual merchandising and ensure products are presented in line with brand standards and customer expectations

• Plan and execute in-store promotions, seasonal campaigns, and new product launches

• Supervise, schedule, and coach sales associates to uphold a high standard of service and operational efficiency

• Maintain accurate inventory levels, manage replenishment, and ensure data integrity across POS and inventory systems

• Analyze sales trends and implement data-driven strategies to improve category performance

• Collaborate with campus leadership and licensing partners to ensure compliance with branding guidelines

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience will be considered

• Minimum 5 years of retail management with direct buying and merchandising responsibility

• Strong apparel and branded merchandise buying experience

• Proven ability to analyze data and translate insights into profitable buying decisions

• Skilled in open-to-buy planning, vendor negotiations, and inventory management

• Proficient with POS systems, retail management software, and e-commerce tools

• Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills

• Creative eye for visual presentation and trend forecasting

• Flexible schedule to accommodate retail events, seasonal peaks, and inventory periods

What We Offer

• Competitive salary ($5,720 – $5,950/month)

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, PTO, and access to campus fitness facilities

• A collaborative and growth-oriented retail environment

• Opportunity to blend buying, merchandising, and leadership in a mission-driven organization