Senior Retail Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

For 53 years NOC has led the outdoor industry, taking more guests whitewater rafting and teaching more paddlers than any other outdoor recreation company. NOC also provides top-quality aerial and trail-based adventures, wilderness medicine as well as unmatched retail service, foodservice, lodging, and trip planning services. NOC career opportunities offer a rare combination of work in beautiful locations, a chance to grow skills and to share a passion for active outdoor recreation.

JOB SUMMARY

Are you passionate about outdoor adventure and the gear that makes it possible? The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Retail Buyer to join our team. As a leader in the outdoor industry, NOC provides world-class gear and experiences that help our customers connect with the outdoors. We are looking for a highly motivated individual to manage and curate our outdoor apparel product offerings, ensuring our customers have access to the best in outdoor fashion and function. This role involves working closely with manufacturers, distributors, the NOC marketing team, our retail staff, buying team and customers. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator with a strong eye for quality, detail, and trends in the outdoor apparel market. As a Senior Buyer for NOC, you’ll work collaboratively with the buying team, store management, and marketing to drive both sales and product development.

This is a full-time, year-round position reporting to the Director of Retail.

Responsibilities

• Identify, select, and buy outdoor apparel products from 100 vendors, focusing on availability, cost, terms, turns, and margins.
• Act as the company’s expert and liaison with vendors, manufacturers, and industry associations to stay ahead of trends and ensure product quality.
• Collaborate closely with the eCommerce Manager to drive outdoor apparel sales on the NOC Store website.
• Partner with NOC’s marketing team to create campaigns and promotions that engage the outdoor community and boost apparel sales.
• Attend industry shows, conventions, and meetings to represent NOC and build relationships with manufacturers and suppliers.
• Help manage and monitor a buying team of up to 5 people ensuring orders are placed in a timely manner with proper product selection.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer demands to adjust the product selection and keep NOC at the forefront of the outdoor apparel industry.
• Build and maintain positive vendor relationships to ensure smooth product procurement and delivery.
• Track product life cycles, inventory, and sales data to maintain optimal stock levels and maximize profitability.
• Manage purchasing and inventory systems to ensure efficient stock levels and reordering processes.

Qualifications

Preferred

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to provide a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of this position. As the nature of business demands change, so too may the essential functions of this position.

Please note that as an employer with over 100 employees, NOC will be required to comply with any OSHA Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard should that standard be enacted.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any and all terms, conditions or privileges of employment including hiring, promotions, termination, training and compensation. The NOC does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic condition or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, where applicable. Furthermore, the NOC is committed to a work environment free of discrimination and harassment through respecting and valuing the diversity among employees and all those with whom the NOC does business.