Associate Buyer

We are seeking a passionate Associate Buyer to join our dynamic merchandising team. The ideal candidate will be supporting one of our buyers, who is responsible for sourcing, selecting, and purchasing a diverse range of footwear products that align with our brand aesthetic, target customer, and financial goals. This role requires a keen eye for trends, knowledge of retail math/financials, and an understanding of the sports fashion market.

This individual will effectively exhibit JD Finish Line’s core values of Customer, People, Winning, Community, and Financial Responsibility in everything they do by performing the following main duties:
** Key Responsibilities
**** Product Sourcing and Selection
*** Support the buyer in identifying and evaluating new suppliers, brands, and product opportunities that align with company strategy and customer preferences.
* Participate in market research to stay abreast of current and emerging footwear trends, competitor activities, and consumer demands.
* Attend trade shows, fashion events, and vendor meetings to discover new products and build relationships.
* Support the buyer in curating a compelling and balanced footwear assortment across various brands & categories (e.g., classics, seasonal, basketball, running) ensuring a fresh and relevant offering.
* Analyze product performance and customer feedback to inform future buying decisions.
** Vendor Management and Negotiation
*** Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with new and existing suppliers.
* Monitor vendor performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards, delivery timelines, and ethical practices.
* Possess the capability to problem solve, and follow up in great detail on order placement, order tracking, and changes to deliveries/quantities.
* Resolve any issues or discrepancies with suppliers promptly and effectively.
* Partner with brands to assess performance and take action to maintain company profitability and credibility in the US market.
** Inventory Management and Financial Performance
*** Support the buyer in developing and executing seasonal buying plans, including open-to-buy (OTB) and inventory forecasts.
* Support the buyer in monitoring inventory levels, sales performance, and markdown strategies to optimize stock turnover and minimize liabilities.
* Collaborate with the planning and allocation teams to ensure optimal product distribution across channels.
* Analyze sales data, margins, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
** Cross-Functional Collaboration
*** Collaborate with the integrated marketing teams to brief seasonal assortment plans, for the creation of our go to market (category and brand levels).
* Collaborate with visual merchandising to ensure effective product presentation in-store and online.
* Partner with the digital operations & brand team to optimize online product presentation, descriptions, and customer experience.
* Participate in presentations to provide product knowledge and training to retail, visual merchandising, and allocation as needed.
** Qualifications
* *** Required

Education and/or Experience
*** Relevant branded buying or merchandising experience is advantageous but not essential.
* Associates degree with a focus in the field of merchandising, buying or planning advantageous also but not essential.
* Retail experience.
* Internal JD Finish Line experience is a plus.
** Skills and Competencies
*** Strong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends within the markets.
* Fully literate in Microsoft Office:
PowerPoint, Word, Excel, as well as Google Suite.
* Organizational skills are essential, as well as ability to utilize critical thinking skills.
* Must be able to work in a fast-paced buying office environment.
** Required Computer and/or Technical Skills
** Should have basic to intermediate knowledge and abilities with Google Suite, Microsoft, Excel, and PowerPoint.
** Physical Demands
** The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may…