Retail Buyer - Outdoor Gear and Shoes at The HUB

Retail Buyer Full-Time | Pisgah Forest, NC (near Brevard) Reports to: General Manager About The Hub The Hub is Pisgah's adventure basecamp. We are a community of bikers and outdoor lovers, and everything we do—retail, service, coffee, beer, rentals, and hospitality—is designed to support great days outside and the connections that form around them. Our retail operation is a core part of the experience. We curate gear, apparel, and accessories that reflect the culture of riding, climbing, hiking, and living outside in Pisgah. The Retail Buyer plays a central role in shaping that experience by selecting the products that fill our shelves and represent The Hub. The Opportunity The Retail Buyer is responsible for planning, sourcing, and managing retail inventory across key outdoor categories. This role blends analytical thinking with strong product intuition. The buyer must understand both the numbers and the culture behind the gear we sell. Success in this role requires strong vendor relationships, disciplined inventory management, and a clear understanding of what our customers actually want when they walk into The Hub. This position works closely with the General Manager and retail leadership to ensure the store remains well-stocked, financially healthy, and aligned with The Hub brand. Core ResponsibilitiesMerchandise Planning Develop seasonal merchandise plans for outdoor gear, apparel, accessories, and related categories Balance product mix across premium technical gear, everyday essentials, and impulse items Identify new brands and products that align with The Hub's outdoor culture Ensure product assortment reflects the needs of riders, hikers, climbers, and outdoor travelers Vendor Relationships Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor partners Negotiate terms, preseason orders, and replenishment strategies Coordinate with brand representatives on product launches and special opportunities Represent The Hub professionally within the outdoor industry Inventory Management Manage inventory levels to balance availability with healthy turns Monitor sell-through, margins, and product performance Identify slow-moving inventory and coordinate markdown or promotional strategies Maintain disciplined reordering processes to keep core items in stock Financial Performance Track category performance including revenue, margin, and inventory turnover Manage open-to-buy and purchasing budgets Work with leadership to ensure purchasing decisions support the financial health of the business Store Collaboration Work closely with the retail team to understand customer feedback and product demand Ensure product displays and merchandising support sell-through Train staff on key product lines so they can confidently serve customers Systems & Data Maintain accurate product data within the POS and inventory systems Monitor reporting tools to guide purchasing decisions Ensure pricing and product setup are accurate and consistent What Success Looks Like The right products are consistently in stock when customers want them Inventory turns remain healthy and aligned with business goals The retail floor feels curated, relevant, and authentic to the outdoor culture of Pisgah Vendor relationships are strong and collaborative Retail staff feel informed and confident about the products they sell Experience & Skills We are looking for someone who combines strong retail instincts with disciplined business thinking.

Preferred qualifications include:

Experience in retail buying, merchandising, or category management Strong understanding of outdoor gear, apparel, and equipment Comfort working with inventory systems and retail data Ability to analyze sales reports and make informed purchasing decisions Strong organizational and planning skills Excellent communication and vendor relationship skills Experience in the outdoor industry or specialty retail is strongly preferred. Personal Qualities The best candidates for this role tend to be: Curious about gear and outdoor culture Detail-oriented and disciplined with numbers Comfortable making decisions with imperfect information Collaborative with store staff and leadership Motivated to continuously improve the retail experience Why Work at The Hub Be part of a strong local brand rooted in the outdoor community Work in an environment centered around bikes, trails, coffee, beer, and adventure Collaborate with a passionate team that cares about the guest experience Opportunity to shape the retail identity of one of the region's most recognized outdoor shops Compensation Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications and may include salary plus performance incentives tied to retail performance. How to Apply Send your résumé along with a short note answering the following: Why are you interested in the Retail Buyer role at The Hub? What outdoor products or brands excite you most right now? Tell us about a time you used data or customer insight to improve a retail assortment. We're excited to meet people who want to help shape the future of The Hub.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance

Work Location:

In person