Footwear Buyer

Company Description

To tell the story of North 40 Outfitters is to tell a success story of the people of the Northwest. We do what we love, and love what we do because we’re passionate. We’re dedicated. We give it all we’ve got and then we get up in the morning and do it all over again. We’re farmers and ranchers. We’re barrel racers and river chasers. We’re honest. We’re helpful. And our families, our friends, and our communities are everything. This is us. This is who we are. It’s what we do every day.

Our Values:

• Embrace Authenticity
• Encourage Transparency
• Promote Learning
• Build Trust
• Earn Respect
• Deliver Value
• Serve Our Customers

Job Description

North 40 Outfitters in Great Falls, MT is looking to hire a Full-Time Salaried Footwear Buyer to join our team. We believe that each team member plays a vital role in the success of our company. We are looking for authentic and enthusiastic people who love our lifestyle and believe in service before self. As a Footwear Buyer at North 40, you play a key role in the overall customer experience by providing our customers with high-quality products, selected for value and usability. You will be responsible for gathering and evaluating data to make strategic buying and category decisions.

This full-time position requires the ability to work all scheduled shifts between the business hours of Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm. This position will be required to work upwards of 55 hours a week. This shift can include working weekends and certain holidays and will require flexibility in scheduling based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Willingness to share credit, work with others in a team environment, and define success collectively rather than individually
• Ability to take the initiative, embrace change, and learn new things
• Drive to be dependable, and to perform well against the expectations of the role
• Purchasing and negotiations experience preferred
• Retail experience preferred
• Possess extensive knowledge/experience about the clothing industry
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with intermediate to advanced Excel skills
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Gather, evaluate, and interpret multiple data points to make strategic buying and category decisions 
• Responsible for related product life cycle from planning and initial release to monitoring trends, replenishment, and clearance process including ad planning and placement
• Follow guidelines to expand, add or discontinue product based on historical selling patterns/forecasts.
• Negotiate category buys and adjustments. 
• Analyze business weekly and monthly to develop strategies that should be defined at the top level then drill down for action plan and execution deliverables.
• Maintain strong, positive, and productive relationships with current vendors and the store’s sales and marketing teams to execute strategies
• Monitor competition, both from “brick and mortar” stores and online retailers and pursue competitive advantages.
• Partner with fellow buying team to analyze category sales and inventory challenges. As a team, develop action plans and distribute responsibilities equitably and report on progress.
• Communicate trends, review strategies, and monitor progress weekly on broad array of SKU’s. 
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through publications, research, vendor, and manufacturer contacts, workshops, personal networks, and attendance at industry shows.
• Have an unquenchable passion for the retail industry and all things outdoors.
• Understanding of correct lifting and loading techniques. Physical ability to lift and carry 0-10 lbs. continuously, 10-25 lbs. frequently, and 25-55 lbs. occasionally, and team lift anything over 55 lbs. 

Additional Information

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

We offer a competitive wage, a rewarding work environment, and generous benefits and perks such as paid holidays, a 401(k) option, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and a phenomenal employee discount on all products North 40 sells. 

North 40 Outfitters is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.