Buyer - Bicycle Division

Description:

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing bicycle products for the company’s ecommerce platform, balancing inventory health, vendor relationships, and business goals. This role combines day-to-day execution of purchase orders with ongoing evaluation of inventory performance, pricing actions, and supplier collaboration.

The Buyer is expected to apply judgment, challenge assumptions, and make data-informed recommendations that improve inventory efficiency, margin, and product availability.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Purchasing & Purchase Order Execution

• Create, review, and submit purchase orders to manufacturers and suppliers to support inventory needs.
• Maintain accuracy of purchase orders, including quantities, costs, lead times, and delivery expectations.
• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers as needed to ensure timely fulfillment.
• Participate in ongoing improvements to purchasing workflows with the goal of reducing manual effort over time.

Inventory Evaluation & Decision-Making

• Regularly evaluate inventory performance, including identifying strong-performing products and slow or at-risk inventory.
• Use inventory data to inform purchasing decisions, recommend adjustments, and prevent overbuy situations.
• Challenge assumptions around replenishment, forecasting, and buy quantities when data suggests risk or opportunity.
• Partner internally to recommend corrective actions such as promotions, markdowns, or reduced future buys.

Pricing & Promotional Support

• Adjust pricing as needed to support inventory health, promotions, and business goals.
• Place products on special or adjust listing prices based on inventory position, seasonality, or strategic direction.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with brand MAP policies.
• Identify opportunities where pricing or promotional activity could improve sell-through.

Vendor & Brand Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned brands and suppliers.
• Communicate purchasing plans, inventory needs, and concerns clearly and professionally.
• Maintain strong working relationships with suppliers while advocating for the company’s business needs.
• Surface issues or opportunities related to supply, cost changes, availability, or product lifecycle.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate relevant product, inventory, and purchasing information to internal teams to support accurate listings, customer experience, and operational planning.
• Partner with Copywriting to provide product details and context, particularly for new product introductions.
• Support Customer Service by supplying product information and availability details.
• Coordinate with Invoicing as needed to resolve questions related to purchase orders, costs, or supplier billing.
• Communicate proactively with Distribution Center leads to provide visibility into inbound inventory, especially for larger or time-sensitive orders.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align purchasing decisions with broader business objectives.

Data & Tools

• Use Excel regularly to support inventory evaluation and purchasing decisions.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to purchasing and inventory activities.
• Continuously build comfort and proficiency with tools and systems used to support buying decisions.

Requirements:

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in a purchasing, buying, merchandising, inventory, or supply chain–related role.
• Comfort making data-informed decisions and challenging assumptions when inventory or pricing risks are identified.
• Willingness and ability to use Excel regularly as part of day-to-day work.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when working with purchase orders, pricing, and product information.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with suppliers and internal teams.
• Comfortable balancing execution-oriented work with analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced ecommerce environment.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in retail or ecommerce, particularly with physical products.
• Familiarity with inventory concepts such as sell-through, overstock, lead times, and replenishment planning.
• Exposure to pricing strategies, promotions, or MAP policy compliance.
• Experience working directly with vendors or manufacturers.
• Background in the bicycle industry, outdoor products, or related categories.
• Experience using ERP systems, purchasing systems, or inventory management tools.
• Interest in process improvement and finding ways to make recurring tasks more efficient over time.

JOB CONDITIONS:

1. Repetitive office working including typing, using a computer mouse and telephone.

2. Sitting time: 75%+

3. Uses hands 75%+

4. Meeting and phone use: 25%+

5. Moderate noise – Office environment with computers, printers and light traffic.

6. Travel estimate: 5% - 10%