Head Buyer / Inventory Manager

Job description Head Buyer / Inventory Manager About Mountain Sports Flagstaff Mountain Sports Flagstaff is a cornerstone of the local community, embodying a passion for adventure and environmental stewardship for over forty years in Flagstaff. As the region's sole independent Patagonia retailer, we proudly contribute 1% of all sales to local conservation efforts through the 1% for the Planet program, having invested over $300,000 back into Flagstaff. Led by owner Lisa Lamberson, who carries forward a legacy of outdoor enthusiasm from her family, our store serves as both a retail space and a community hub in historic downtown Flagstaff. Originally established in Casper, WY in 1973 by Lisa's father, Mark, and her Uncle Bruce, Mountain Sports continues to thrive, offering exceptional hospitality and fostering a love for the outdoors among its customers. Mountain Sports is also a sister store to Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff's beloved independent bookstore — and both businesses share a vendor community, a commitment to intentional independent retail, and a belief that local businesses are one of the most powerful ways to serve a community. Position Summary As Head Buyer, you are the creative and commercial engine of Mountain Sports Flagstaff — shaping the products our customers discover, love, and live in before they ever walk through the door. From apparel and accessories to gifts and jewelry, every category reflects your vision, taste, and decision-making. Patagonia represents approximately 60% of our product mix, and as one of the Southwest's few independent Patagonia retailers, our partnership is rooted as much in shared values as it is in business. Patagonia's mission, "We're in business to save our home planet," guides how we build our assortment, support our community, and steward the brands we carry. This role sits at the intersection of creativity and analytics. You'll identify compelling product, manage open-to-buy and preseason planning, partner closely with our outside inventory analyst, and cultivate strong vendor relationships that help shape the future of outdoor lifestyle retail in Flagstaff. This role reports directly to the Owner and manages a back-office team of up to three part-time Receiving & Inventory Associates. Key ResponsibilitiesBuying & Assortment Planning Develop seasonal merchandise assortments that reflect our customers, Flagstaff's mountain lifestyle, and our commitment to purpose-driven brands — led by Patagonia Partner with the Owner and GM to build product strategies aligned with financial goals and open-to-buy by class Balance core, long-standing vendors with intentional newness to keep the assortment fresh while maintaining customer trust Lead preseason buying for six core apparel brands — anchored by Patagonia and representing ~75% of annual inventory — plus a curated mix of accessory, gift, and jewelry brands Manage a 4-6 week seasonal planning cycle requiring forecasting and order commitments 6-9 months in advance, in close coordination with our inventory analyst Negotiate vendor terms (dating, freight, returns, co-op support) to maintain strong partnerships while protecting margin and cash flow Attend 4 seasonal line reviews per year (3-4 days each, typically May/June and November), placing preseason orders within an established open-to-buy framework Place weekly at-once orders to respond to sell-through trends and inventory gaps Partner bi-weekly with our outside inventory analyst (Outside Looks) to review performance, adjust preseason buys, and translate data into action Identify bestsellers and underperformers and implement timely promotions or markdowns to support sell-through and margin Collaborate with the GM to refine assortments based on customer feedback, staff input, and community engagement Monitor outdoor industry trends and introduce relevant brands and products aligned with our values and customer base Inventory & Operations Oversee Inventory & Receiving Associate(s) responsible for receiving, PO entry, and back-stock organization Manage purchase order entry and UPC uploads in our POS system (RICS) Lead annual physical inventory and maintain ongoing inventory accuracy Execute preseason order revisions based on market conditions and sell-through data Participate hands-on in receiving and product processing with the team Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient back-stock operation Digital & Visual Merchandising Oversee website inventory integration, ensuring accurate syncs, proper classification, and seasonal organization Partner with the GM on visual merchandising and floor sets that bring the assortment to life in-store Support two major seasonal sale events (typically February and August), including markdown planning and promotional execution Qualifications We're looking for a buyer who is equal parts merchant and analyst — someone who can read a grid wall assortment at a line showing and a spreadsheet with equal confidence.

The ideal candidate will:

Have experience in retail buying, assortment planning, or merchandising — preferably in outdoor, lifestyle, or specialty retail Be highly analytical with strong data-driven decision-making skills; advanced Excel proficiency required Have experience managing multiple categories and building seasonal assortments Be familiar with buying platforms such as NuOrder, Elastic, or similar (RICS POS a plus) Bring genuine curiosity about the outdoor industry, its brands, trends, and community Be flexible and decisive in a fast-changing retail environment Deeply align with Patagonia's environmental mission and Mountain Sports' values of sustainability, community, and stewardship — this is essential, not optional How Success is Measured Success in this role is a balance of creative vision and operational discipline.

It looks like:

Preseason deadlines met with clear, well-supported buying decisions across all categories Strong store profitability through healthy margins, controlled inventory, and consistent sell-through Accurate inventory management, validated by annual physical counts A cohesive, intentional floor assortment that tells a clear brand and lifestyle story Vendor relationships that are well-managed, professional, and strategically advantageous An efficient receiving operation with smooth product flow from delivery to sales floor A well-supported back-end team operating with clarity and efficiency Schedule & Physical Requirements This is a full-time salaried position requiring 40 hours per week, with additional availability expected during peak buying seasons, trade shows, and key retail periods. The role includes 4 out-of-town travel events per year for line reviews and trade shows, typically 3-4 days each and concentrated in May/June and November. Physical requirements include the ability to stand and walk for extended periods, lift boxes up to 55 pounds, climb ladders, and perform regular store maintenance tasks including sweeping, vacuuming, and general upkeep. Compensation & Benefits Salary Base salary starting at $53,000 annually, with additional compensation commensurate with experience Annual cost-of-living adjustment each January Health & Wellness Employer-sponsored health insurance with a generous 85% subsidy — a direct employer contribution of approximately $5,400 per year

SIMPLE IRA

after 1 year of employment, with 3% company match Paid Time Away Paid Time Off (PTO): 80 hours to start, increasing by 20 hours each year up to a maximum of 160 hours annually Paid Sick Time (PST): 40 hours granted upfront each year

Paid Volunteer Time:

16 hours per year to give back to the Flagstaff community

Note:

PTO, PST, and Volunteer Time are granted upfront annually and will be prorated for the first partial year of employment. Perks & Discounts Employee discounts at Mountain Sports Flagstaff and Bright Side Bookshop Pro Deal discounts from most of the vendors we carry — access to the gear and apparel you're buying for the store, at exceptional prices

Total Estimated Package Value:

$61,000+ per year Base salary of $53,000, plus approximately $5,400 in direct health insurance contributions, plus the value of 136 hours of paid time away — we maximize your take-home by heavily subsidizing the costs that matter most. Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive equal employment opportunities without discrimination. At Mountain Sports Flagstaff, we don't just accept diversity — we support it, celebrate it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our associates, customers, and community. Location & How to This position is on-site at Mountain Sports Flagstaff, located in historic downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate; please indicate your location and timeline in your cover letter. Please submit your resume along with a cover letter sharing a buying, merchandising, or product decision you're proud of — or another example that reflects your judgment, taste, and decision-making style. Tell us what you chose, why, and what happened. Send your application to

Pay:

From $53,000.00 per year Benefits 401(k) 401(k) matching Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off

Work Location:

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