What You'll Do;
As a Buyer for Footwear and Licensed Apparel (Fanwear) with Team Town Sports (TTS), you will be responsible for the development and execution of assigned product class business strategy to maximize sales and profit in our store and web business.
Team Town Sports is Sporting Life Group's (SLG) newest banner, bringing top-quality team sports equipment across the country. Since our launch in 2023, we have seen rapid growth, serving our customers' needs at one of our four store locations or our E-commerce site.
Drawing on your experience you will be an integral in contributing to the success of the business utilizing your strong leadership, buying, and planning skills. Within this role you will develop strong relationships both internally within our business and externally with our vendors base and focus on building your team’s bench strength producing future leaders.
Category Management
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Develop and execute merchandising and marketing strategies for assigned product category in all distribution channels (Retail Stores & Web).
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Maximize profitability for category – sales, margin, inventory turn, GMROI etc.
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Develop category merchandising strategy with Director of Purchasing that differentiates Golf Town from competition and meets/exceeds our annual metric goals.
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Create and optimize product assortments in all distribution channels.
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Collaborate with marketing to ensure all key items and strategies are communicated to our customer base.
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Utilize private brands where applicable to maximize value and increase category profit.
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Define and implement category pricing and promotional strategy.
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Create and oversee special sales-based activities (i.e. vendor contests, programs, events, etc.).
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Communicate category initiatives/issues internally and externally.
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Lead and direct cross-functional teams to execute special projects and category initiatives.
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Collaborate with SGM’s, either by conference call or store visit, to ensure all product needs are addressed.
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Build out following year assortment plan - final review and sign off prior to director sign off meetings.
Vendor Management
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Manage assortments, inventory, and finances for each vendor.
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Secure favorable product costs, sufficient supply and vendor funding to support strategic business goals.
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Foster positive relationships with vendor community to achieve strategic company goals.
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Constantly evaluate vendor performance and programs - negotiate vendor terms to meet profitability targets.
Marketing Management
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Work cross functionally with the marketing team to ensure new launches are featured.
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Review roadmap to ensure YOY comps
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Use systems where possible to inform staff of new products/offers
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Participate in weekly ad calendar meetings
Inventory Management
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Partner with Planners/Replenishment Team to ensure category meets/exceeds inventory, turn and GMROI goals.
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Collaborate with Inventory Planner to implement and manage supply chain initiatives to optimize performance metrics.
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Develop & execute the merchandise assortment plan to achieve the current years targets with the help of the planning department.
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Plan and execute effective product life cycles – including negotiating vendor markdown monies, RTV’s, etc..
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Work with Planning Team/Replenishment Team to achieve key in-stock levels and turn goals.
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Build core sku list for Replenishment Team to follow.
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Review inventory forecast for splits for upcoming months (Bulk breakout)
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Create and maintain YOY sales result folder.
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Lead contact for marketing to help execute key events/promotions.
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Identify sales risks.
Leadership and Staff Development
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Lead, coach, develop, and empower Merchandising Analyst.
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Lead and direct cross-functional support team without direct authority.
What You'll Bring;
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Post-secondary education (University preferred) with a focus on merchandising, business or economics.
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7–10 years progressive experience and well versed in brand/category management, procurement, contract negotiation and vendor management within the retail industry with 3 - 5 years’ managerial experience.
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Passion and strong understanding of the sporting goods industry
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Ability to multi-task and easily adapt category strategy to current business climate.
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Strong organizational, project leadership, and time management skills.
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Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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Must be able to work well in a team environment and independently.
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Proven analytical and problem solving ability using a variety of platforms
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Excellent follow through.
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Commitment to customer service.
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Must be assertive and eager to grow in an extremely fast paced organization.
What We'll Give You;
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Play a significant role in our mighty team, which shares a passion for team sports and an active lifestyle.
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Work in a supportive team environment where your contributions are valued and recognized in a hybrid environment, collaborating with and learning from industry experts.
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Competitive compensation with opportunities for professional development and career growth within the Sporting Life Group.
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An unmatched benefits package, with comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage and access to our amazing discounts at Golf Town, Sporting Life, and Team Town Sports, which can be shared with friends and family.
Who We Are;
Team Town is Canada’s newest and leading destination for team sports. Our commitment is to bring top-quality team sports equipment to Canadians across the country. We cater to the needs of athletes of all skill levels and ages by providing them with the best possible gear and equipment to enhance their performance on the field, court, or rink.
Team Town is a member of the Sporting Life Group, a Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited company, and is a leading Canadian sports lifestyle retail organization comprising iconic banners, Golf Town, Sporting Life, and Team Town. Operating from coast to coast, Golf Town, Sporting Life and Team Town’s fleet of stores inspire Canadians to get outside and live an active lifestyle, whether it’s playing some of Canada’s top golf courses, running through community trails, experiencing the exhilarating feeling of the hills, or any sports activity in between fit for the individual or whole family.
Team Town Sports is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. In accordance with applicable laws, please advise a representative of the Human Resources team of any accommodations needed to ensure fair and equitable access throughout the recruitment and selection process.
