Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Footwear Buyer to join our dynamic merchandising team. The ideal candidate will be 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, strong negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the sports fashion market. This individual should 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

Identify and evaluate new suppliers, brands, and product opportunities that align with company strategy and customer preferences.
Conduct 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.
Curate 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.
Collaborate with brand partners to gain access to relevant, unique products, categories to position JD to gain market share.
Collaborate with brand partners to introduce new products, and/or create exclusive styles/collections, as well as position early/lead time in the market.
Negotiate favorable terms, pricing, payment schedules, and delivery agreements with vendors to maximize profitability.
Monitor vendor performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards, delivery timelines, and ethical practices.
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

Develop and execute seasonal buying plans, including open-to-buy (OTB) and inventory forecasts.
Monitor 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.
Manage budgets effectively to achieve sales and profit targets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with the planning, marketing, and digital teams to develop and execute promotional strategies and campaigns for footwear.
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.
Provide product knowledge and training to retail, visual merchandising, and allocation as needed.
Trains, develop Associate Buyer to position them for a future buying or lead role within JD Group.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business Administration, or a related field.
4-7 years of experience as a Footwear Buyer, Assistant Buyer, or similar role in a retail environment.
Proven track record of achieving sales and profit targets.
Internal JD Finish Line experience strongly preferred.

Skills and Competencies

Strong understanding of footwear, apparel, & accessories trends, materials, construction, and market dynamics.
Excellent negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Highly analytical with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends.
Proficiency in retail math and inventory management principles.
Ability to build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
Proficiency in Google & Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) as well as retail management software.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Passion for sports, fashion, and retail, with a keen eye for style.
Ability to work in a fast paced environment, with competing priorities
Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, with multiple dynamics
Ability to work up, down, and across levels within the JD Group, and our brand partners

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 be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sit for more than 6 hours per shift
Use hands to finger, handle and feel
Reach with hands and arms
Talk and/or hear
Walk or move from one location to another
Occasionally may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch
Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally
Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position.
Average work week is 45-50 hours, which can vary depending on business need.
The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting.
Spending less than 20% time traveling (by air or land).

The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.

#LI-DNI

This job description is not intended to cover all aspects, duties, and/or responsibilities required of employees. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary or permanent basis per company policy. The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice.

EEO Statement:

The Finish Line, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws. The Finish Line, Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other characteristic or class protected by law. The Finish Line, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, including for disabilities, pregnancy, and religious practices.

Need accessibility assistance to apply?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application can either call Finish Line at (317) 613-6890 or email us at talentacquisition@finishline.com. A member of our Talent Acquisition team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. (This email address and phone number is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a job.)