Outdoor Buyer

Job Overview

Portmantos is seeking a motivated and trend‑driven Outdoor Buyer to manage purchasing, vendor relationships, assortment planning, and product strategy for our outdoor and recreation category.

The ideal candidate must have previous outdoor buying experience and already‑established vendor relationships within outdoor products, sporting goods, camping equipment, travel goods, recreational products, lifestyle merchandise, or closely related consumer product categories.

Location:

Metuchen, NJ | Full‑Time Position | Salary: $70,000 – $95,000 annually

• Develop and execute buying strategies aligned with sales, margin, and inventory goals.
• Research outdoor, camping, hiking, recreational, and lifestyle product trends.
• Source and evaluate new vendors, manufacturers, and product opportunities.
• Leverage established vendor relationships to identify new product opportunities and negotiate favorable terms.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, freight arrangements, rebates, and promotional support.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory turns, margins, and product profitability.
• Manage Open‑to‑Buy budgets, inventory investments, forecasting, and purchase orders.
• Work with E‑Commerce, Marketing, Operations, and Product Development on product launches and promotions.
• Monitor competitor pricing, market activity, and category trends.
• Review aging inventory and help reduce excess or slow‑moving product.
• Support private label and exclusive product development initiatives.

• 3+ years of buying, merchandising, procurement, or category management experience.
• Must have previous buying experience within outdoor products, sporting goods, camping equipment, travel goods, recreational products, or a closely related category.
• Must have already‑established vendor relationships within the outdoor, sporting goods, recreation, camping, travel goods, or related consumer product category.
• Strong analytical, forecasting, negotiation, and inventory planning skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with ERP, purchasing, or inventory management systems.
• Strong communication, organization, and vendor relationship management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field preferred.

Salary range: $70,000 – $95,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, internal equity, market conditions, and business needs.

Full‑time employees may be eligible for company‑sponsored benefits in accordance with plan terms, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, company holidays, and other available benefit programs.

This is a full‑time, in‑office position based in Metuchen, New Jersey. Occasional travel may be required for vendor meetings, trade shows, and industry events.

Portmantos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.