Buyer - Soccer

As we continue to scale our global platform, the Buyer will play a critical role in strengthening product assortment, deepening vendor partnerships, and delivering fan-first category experiences.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Buyer owns end-to-end category management, responsible for curating a compelling assortment and driving performance across a defined product category through innovative product strategy and vendor partnerships. Reporting to the Divisional Merchandise Manager, the Buyer partners closely with Planning, Product Development, Site Experience, Marketing, and Supply Chain to execute a category strategy aligned to brand goals and financial targets. The Buyer delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT

Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.

Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)

• Serves as a culture carrier and active contributor to the broader Merchandising team, sharing insights, tools, and best practices across divisions to elevate team thinking.
• Supports onboarding and coaching of Assistant Buyers and Coordinators, helping build capability across the merchandising organization.
• Negotiates costs, terms, and exclusives in partnership with the DMM and General Merchandise Manager to drive category competitiveness.
• Builds strong relationships with vendor and brand partners to drive growth, product exclusivity, and ongoing innovation.

Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)

• Stays closely connected to the voice of the fan—tracking trends, social signals, and product sentiment to inform category decisions.
• Monitors the competitive landscape to ensure category relevance and differentiation across the assortment.
• Builds a balanced, trend-right assortment that blends accessibility and exclusivity, grounded in data, fan insights, and product performance.
• Acts as a category expert across vertical and market brands—including brand equity, cost architecture, and vendor capability.

Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)

• Partners with Product Development to shape vertical brand assortment and optimize positioning within the category.
• Curates the vendor matrix to optimize productivity, reduce redundancy, and elevate product storytelling.
• Collaborates on seasonal strategies, assortment reviews, and go-to-market planning with vendor and brand partners.
• Applies innovative thinking and sound business judgment to solve complex category challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)

• Owns in-season management of sales, margin, inventory, and turn for the category, managing the Good/Better/Best framework and full product lifecycle from initial buy through markdown and exit.
• Leverages insights to drive pricing, promotion, and markdown decisions that maximize category profitability.
• Collaborates with Planning to align OTB, receipt flow, and in-season reforecasting to financial targets.
• Tracks and reports on category performance, making recommendations to accelerate profitable growth in support of the broader merchandising strategy.

AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY

We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in Merchandising or Buying, with proven success in assortment management and vendor partnerships.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to make data-informed decisions across pricing, promotion, and inventory management.
• Passion for product, fans, and delivering innovation at speed in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Proven ability to manage a category's financial metrics including sales, margin, inventory turn, and OTB.
• Team player with high accountability, a growth mindset, and a track record of cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present category insights and recommendations clearly.
• Highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in vertical/private brand and market vendor businesses.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred, not required.

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in Jacksonville, Florida subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence 3 days per week.

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset—We Build Championship Teams, we're Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined & Relentless Mindset. If you're ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.