Buyer - Paddle Sports

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Summary:
Next Adventure surrounds itself with employees who are passionate about the outdoors and want to make a positive impact in the company every day. The role of every employee is to promote our mission:
Inform. Outfit. Excite.
As a Buyer at Next Adventure, you will play a pivotal leadership role, driving the success of your product category from initial strategy to final sell-through. This position demands a dynamic leader who integrates our core values with a passion for people, products, and customers. You will be responsible for the full retail cycle of your assigned category, including product strategy, assortment planning, and performance evaluation.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Category & Assortment Planning

• Develop and execute comprehensive buying and selling plans to achieve sales targets and optimize inventory turnover.
• Align sales strategies with marketing opportunities to maximize product visibility and customer engagement.
• Create and manage seasonal product picture & assortments, maintaining balanced inventory levels and addressing category overstock.

• Seasonal Category Presentations
• Utilize sales forecasting with year-over-year regression analysis to predict sales, compare forecasts with actual performance, and adjust plans as needed.
• Implement stock balancing strategies to ensure optimal inventory levels across categories and locations.
• Manage the budget effectively and maximize returns on the cost of goods to enhance profitability.

• Identify and explore new account opportunities to expand market reach.
• Manage & Communicate MAP compliance and pricing strategies, addressing pricing breaks to ensure consistent pricing.
• Develop and implement margin-building pricing strategies focused on year-over-year dollar margin growth by category.
• Design and execute promotional strategies and build category marketing plans with an emphasis on seasonal performance.

• Create and oversee purchase orders to ensure timely and accurate procurement of products.
• Attend trade shows to find new products, showcase SMU offerings, and network with industry professionals.
• Maintain and cultivate strong vendor relationships to negotiate favorable terms and ensure reliable supply chains.
• Manage closeouts, including clearance and liquidation, and analyze findings to improve future inventory planning.

• Translate product picture & vision into actionable retail merchandising plans, ensuring seamless execution in-store.
• Create and manage category transfer orders to effectively move inventory between locations.
• Oversee retail store inventory management, maintaining optimal stock levels and accurate inventory records.
• Source and acquire brand-specific fixtures and point-of-purchase displays to enhance in-store presentation.

• Evaluate margin performance and analyze profitability to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor sell-through rates and assess carrying inventory/on-hand inventory to ensure financial efficiency.
• Conduct complete category matching to ensure alignment with buying objectives and market demands.
• Review budget performance to ensure alignment with financial goals.

• Provide mentorship and conduct peer reviews to support team development and performance improvement.
• Assist with off-season planning and peer review to prepare for future business cycles and optimize strategies.

• Extensive Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in retail buying, merchandising, or retail management, with a strong track record in leading procurement strategies.
• Retail and Financial Acumen : Deep expertise in retail mathematics, inventory management, and financial analysis, ensuring accurate forecasting and budgeting.
• Negotiation and Communication: Exceptional negotiation skills, with proven success in vendor management and the ability to foster strong partnerships. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Vendor Relations: Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with vendors, driving mutually beneficial outcomes and contributing to sustained sales growth.
• Strategic Leadership: Strategic thinker with the ability to interpret complex data and market trends, translating insights into actionable buying strategies.
• Technical Proficiency: High proficiency with industry-standard POS systems, software, and technology platforms, enabling efficient and effective buying processes.
• Outdoor Enthusiasm : A strong passion for the outdoors, coupled with in-depth knowledge of outdoor gear and equipment, aligning procurement decisions with the company's mission.
• Adaptability and Leadership: Ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with strong leadership skills to manage competing priorities and drive continuous improvement.

• At Next Adventure, our primary objective is to hire the most qualified candidates and ensure their long-term success within our organization. We place great value in our hiring process, and we ask that all applicants submit a cover letter with their resume. We appreciate the time and effort that goes into submitting an application, please be assured that we will respond to all applications within 1-2 weeks, and we will maintain open communication with our applicants throughout the process.
• We use a generic email account to communicate with applicants, and sometimes our emails may end up in your spam or promotions folder. Please ensure that you check these folders for any correspondence from Next Adventure. To streamline our communication process, we highly recommend opting-in for text messages, as this will allow for quick questions and reminders about interviews.
• At Next Adventure, we take a personal interest in every applicant, and we read each resume and cover letter carefully. We value creativity, initiative, and a passion for the industry. Our goal is to hire the best candidates and retain them for the long-term, and we believe that this process begins with a strong application and a commitment to kaizen.

• Group health, dental, and vision insurance - Aetna & Principal
• Short-term disability
• Voluntary life insurance, and 25,000 basic life insurance
• OregonSaves Retirement plan
• Vacation up to 4 weeks, based on position and years of service. 2 week sabbatical added after 10 years.

• Employee discount: Max 35%
• Free Demos & Rentals
• Circuit Bouldering Gym Membership
• The Source Climbing Gym Membership
• Membership discounts at Movement and PRG
• Access to Industry Pro Deals on products, events, lift tickets, and more