Senior Buyer Footwear

Zumiez

  • Lynnwood, WA
  • $33.00-40.00 per hour
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
Job Description:JOB TITLE: Senior Buyer – FootwearORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Reports to Buying ManagerFLSA STATUS: Hourly, Full Time, Non-ExemptDEPARTMENT: Buying – 722LOCATION: In-office. Lynnwood, WA. Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pmEFFECTIVE DATE: July 1st, 2025COMPENSATION: $33 - $40 per hour.JOB SUMMARY:Zumiez is looking for a strategic and trend-savvy Senior Footwear Buyer to lead our buying efforts across multiple categories. This role is responsible for owning their category, from curating compelling product assortments and managing vendor partnerships to developing talent and delivering strong business results. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of the footwear market, a sharp eye for emerging trends, and the ability to translate youth culture into product strategy. They are highly organized, analytically minded, and an effective communicator, with experience mentoring at least one direct report and a passion for driving growth in a fast paced, result driven environment.KEY RESPONSIBILITES:
  • Own the full buying lifecycle for men's and women's footwear across all channels, including product selection, vendor negotiations, delivery management, and in-season business decisions.
  • Discover, incubate, and grow high impact vendor relationships, securing exclusives, resolving fulfillment and margin challenges, and supporting marketing campaigns.
  • Drive category sales by identifying emerging trends early, leveraging internal and external data, and aligning the assortment with youth culture and consumer demand within a financial plan.
  • Manage a significant portion of the footwear business independently, with full accountability for performance and strategic direction.
  • Align weekly, monthly, seasonally, and annually with planning and finance to meet or exceed KPIs including sales, GMV, gross margin, sell through, markdowns, OTB, RTV, and inventory level.
  • Lead all aspects of assortment planning and category strategy, balancing creative vision with business objectives.
  • Maximize sales and margin opportunities through effective inventory management, pricing, markdown strategies, and assistance negotiations with vendors.
  • Collaborate with marketing, e-commerce, and store operations to execute integrated content and promotion strategies across launches, social media, email, app rewards, catalogs, store signage, and events.
  • Develop and communicate trend insights and strategic recommendations to cross functional teams and vendors to influence key decisions and drive business forward.
  • React quickly to current business trends by proposing and executing plan changes in collaboration with leadership.
  • Identify and implement improvements to buying processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.
  • Recruit, hire, and train new members of the buying team while fostering a collaborative and high performing culture.
  • Conduct performance reviews and manage direct reports to individual and team success.
JOB REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 5 to 7 years of buying experience, including large volume or multi door retail environments.
  • 1 year of management experience and a demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high performing teams is preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred, or a combination of equivalent education and relevant work experience
  • Exceptional understanding and application of retail math, business analysis, and key performance metrics.
  • Has proven the ability to drive results through data informed decision making, vendor partnerships, and strategic assortment planning.
  • Deep awareness of footwear culture, sneaker trends, the Zumiez customer, and youth market dynamics.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast paced, dynamic, and multitasking environment.
  • Should be a critical thinking and analytical person who can adapt quickly to changing business needs and problem solve.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence across cross functional teams and vendors.
  • Demonstrated creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for discovering what is next.
  • High attention to detail and accuracy across all aspects of the buying process.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and familiarity with retail planning and buying systems.
  • Collaborative team player who can work independently and within a highly creative and dynamic culture.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
  • This is a full-time, hourly, in-office position based at Zumiez headquarters in Lynnwood, Washington.
  • Ability to remain in a stationary seated or standing position in an office environment for extended periods of time while working on a computer.
  • Constantly operates a computer, phone, and other standard office equipment.
  • Must be able to visually inspect and evaluate footwear samples, materials, and construction details.
  • Occasionally lifts and moves product samples, boxes, or display materials up to twenty-five pounds.
  • Frequently communicates with internal teams, vendors, and cross-functional partners through phone, video calls, and in person meetings.
  • Occasional travel required for tradeshows, market visits, vendor meetings, and store walkthroughs.
  • Zumiez is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
BENEFITS
  • Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • 401k Enrollment
  • Product Discount
  • Bonus potential
Zumiez is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.This job description is not all-inclusive and is only intended to describe the general nature of the work. All job responsibilities are considered to be essential job functions. Job responsibilities and job requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The Company reserves the right to modify the job description, as it deems it necessary for proper business operations.

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