Senior Buyer, Retail

At Pursuit, we offer more than just a place to visit, we create opportunities for our guests to truly connect with iconic destinations. Our experiences include world-class attractions and distinctive lodges, all designed to highlight the unique beauty of each location. Beyond that, we offer thoughtfully crafted restaurants, retail, and transportation services that help our guests immerse themselves fully in the experience.

What ties it all together are the friendly faces you'll find along the way, the thoughtful amenities, and the delightful details that make every visit feel personal and unforgettable.

This role is for a buyer who believes great retail is about more than product-it's about place, storytelling, and impact. As Senior Buyer, Retail - Banff Jasper Collection, you'll curate assortments that connect guests to iconic landscapes through thoughtful design, local partnerships, and compelling retail moments.

You'll own the full buying lifecycle while collaborating across teams to ensure products arrive at the right place, at the right time, and at the right margin-supporting both unforgettable guest experiences and strong business results.

As Senior Buyer, Retail - Banff Jasper Collection, you'll play a critical role in shaping our retail strategy across attractions and lodges in the Canadian Rockies. This role owns the full buying lifecycle - from product strategy and vendor negotiations to pricing, merchandising, and in-store execution - ensuring our assortments are compelling, profitable, and operationally sound.

This is a full-time, 18-month contract covering a maternity leave, reporting to the Director, Retail & Photo and working closely with Operations, Inventory, Finance, and Store Teams.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Buying & Merchandising

• Lead the full buying cycle across all categories including apparel, gifts, souvenirs, hardgoods, and custom collections.
• Develop and execute assortment strategies aligned to each store's theme, location, and revenue goals.
• Build core and custom programs to deliver exclusive, story-driven products unique to Pursuit destinations.
• Analyze sell-through, margins, and category performance to guide reorders, markdowns, and product flow.
• Develop and maintain planograms that support visual standards, storytelling, and guest experience.
• Oversee auto-PO and replenishment processes to support high-volume seasonal demand.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Own and manage Open-to-Buy plans to achieve sales, margin, and inventory-turn targets.
• Partner with Finance and Inventory teams on forecasting, variance analysis, and profitability goals.
• Develop pricing and promotional strategies that drive revenue while protecting gross margin.
• Lead vendor negotiations and cost-saving initiatives to reduce COGS and improve margin performance.

Vendor & Product Management

• Source, negotiate, and manage vendor relationships - from large suppliers to local and artisan partners.
• Ensure vendors align with Pursuit's quality, sustainability, and brand standards.
• Oversee vendor onboarding, product setup, and PO accuracy in partnership with Inventory.
• Attend trade shows, vendor meetings, and market appointments to identify new trends and opportunities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Store Managers and Operations teams to support in-season agility and inventory flow.
• Serve as the primary product contact for stores, addressing feedback, special orders, and product issues.
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising to ensure product presentation supports storytelling and conversion.
• Work with Marketing to align product launches, seasonal campaigns, and promotional storytelling.

Seasonal & Field Support

• Provide on-site support during spring store openings (April-May) to ensure operational and merchandising readiness.
• Travel throughout the year for store visits, vendor meetings, and in-store training (approx. 15-20%).
• Participate in seasonal line reviews, post-season analysis, and forward planning sessions.

Leadership & Culture

• Champion Pursuit's Promise to Place commitment through sustainable, locally inspired product strategies.
• Support and train store teams on product knowledge, merchandising standards, and retail storytelling.
• Foster strong collaboration, transparency, and a positive culture across Retail & Photo teams.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• 5+ years of retail buying or merchandise planning experience (hospitality, attractions, or tourism retail preferred).
• Proven experience managing OTB, category strategy, and vendor negotiations.
• Experience with custom, exclusive, or private-label product programs is an asset.
• Multi-store or multi-location buying experience strongly preferred.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong analytical and financial acumen with advanced Excel and/or BI tools.
• Deep understanding of retail KPIs including sell-through, margin, inventory turns, and GMROI.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor relationship-management skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple categories,…