Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. jobs in Lafayette, IN

About Our Company

Lids is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Adidas, and Mitchell & Ness. We currently operate 1,200 locations domestically and 50 internationally, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and numerous MLB teams. In recent years, Lids has built partnerships with iconic global brands including Marvel, Playboy, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and gained ambassadors like Justin Jefferson, Quavo, and Josephine Skriver – creating a community for both sports fans and fashion lovers.

The company is currently expanding with the goal of becoming the largest licensed brick-and-mortar sports retailer across the globe.

General Position Summary

The Sr. Buyer is responsible for the purchase and promotion of all product for their department(s) of responsibility. The primary objective for this position is profitable sales and achievement of all departmental financial goals through proper product assortment. 

This position works fully in-person at the Lids corporate office in NW Indianapolis and will require relocation if not local.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Develop and manage the entire process and timeline for product development/selection through delivery, to include communication and coordination with vendors, price negotiation to achieve maximum margin, sample approvals, and coordination with sourcing to ensure on-time delivery of quality merchandise. 
2.    Create seasonal assortments for the appropriate merchandise categories.  Prepare and maintain assortment plans for all categories of responsibility. 
3.    Work with merchandising and sourcing teams to ensure appropriate planning, allocation, and order placement of specific categories. 
4.    Research the market regularly to understand the competitive landscape and brand opportunities by category.  
5.    Prepare and make seasonal product presentations regularly to a variety of internal and external audiences. 
6.    Compile and communicate product information to be used in direct-to-consumer marketing and operational vehicles. 
 

Job Required Knowledge & Skills

1.    Bachelors degree in Merchandising or related field of study 
2.    5 years of related experience 
3.    Strong communication skills to include presentations 
4.    Strong project management skills 
5.    Strong ability to make sound decisions 
6.    Strong negotiation skills 
7.    Must have strong knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures of a merchandise buyer and product development 
8.    Must rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals 
9.    A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required to perform responsibilities 
 

Reports To

Director of Buying

#LI-MA1