Buyer

About the Job

Ready to build the aisles where customers find the perfect gift? At Books-A-Million, our Toys and Gifts business is where families discover the next favorite toy, collectors find the pieces they were hoping for, and gift-givers find just the right present for every age and occasion. As Toys and Gifts Buyer, you will lead the toys and gifts business and represent Books-A-Million in every vendor meeting and business review. If you can spot the next breakout toy, know which gift trend is about to take off, and can tell a vendor exactly why our customer will make it a hit, we should talk. This role is based at our home office in Birmingham, Alabama, with regular travel to stores, vendor meetings, and trade shows.

• Position: Buyer, Toys and Gifts
• Department: Merchandising
• Location: Birmingham, AL (Hybrid)
• Position Type: Full-time
• Reports to: Erica Graf

Role Summary

You'll own sales, gross margin, and inventory results for Toys and Gifts across every Books-A-Million store and online. Partnering with Merchandise Planning, Marketing, Store Operations, and the rest of the General Merchandise team, you'll drive the business from product selection and vendor negotiation to how toys and gifts land on the sales floor and on booksamillion.com. Toys and Gifts is a key category for the company, especially through the holiday season, and you will lead and develop Assistant Buyers who report to you. A passion for great products and the people who give and receive them is at the core of what we do.

Role Responsibilities

Category Management

• Own the results. Execute and achieve sales, gross margin, returns, and inventory goals for Toys and Gifts, including toys, games and puzzles, plush, collectibles, novelty, and seasonal and everyday gift items.
• Build assortments for every customer and every occasion. Develop assortments that drive company and department goals and meet the needs of each store's customers and community. Visit stores to evaluate mix and competition, then turn what you learn into product plans.
• Manage every level of the business. Lead selection, mix, pricing, promotion, negotiation, and disposition, and deliver accurate forecasts and buying plans using open to buy and current trends.
• Keep winners in stock. Manage core and seasonal depth so key items, brands, and licensed products stay available and every major launch starts strong.

Vendor Partnerships & Brand Advocacy

• Be the voice of Books-A-Million in every room. Show vendors, distributors, and industry partners who our customer is and why we're a partner worth investing in.
• Bring exclusives to our customers. Secure exclusive products, first-to-market items, and unique opportunities that give customers a reason to shop Books-A-Million first.
• Negotiate with purpose. Secure terms, allowances, and partnership plans that maximize profitability, collect funds owed, and hold vendors accountable for fill rate, on-time delivery, and plan commitments.

Trend & Opportunity

• Know what customers want before they ask. Track toy and gift trends, social media, licensing, film and TV, and retail competitors, and attend trade shows and vendor previews, to spot breakout products early.
• Find the next opportunity. Use competitive and category analysis to uncover new vendors, brands, licenses, formats, and proprietary product.

Seasonal & Cross-Functional Programs

• Own the gifting calendar. Plan and execute holiday, Valentine's Day, Mother's and Father's Day, back to school, and other key gifting seasons with accuracy on pricing, signage, and execution.
• Bring the product to life. Partner with Marketing, Merchandising Execution, and Digital on presentation, promotions, events, and booksamillion.com content so toys and gifts show up as a discovery in store and online.
• Connect the store experience. Partner with the Books merchandising team on toys and gifts tied to key titles, characters, and licenses so customers find everything in one visit.
• Plan the flow. Work with Merchandise Planning on merchandise flow, key items, and store groupings, and with Store Operations so stores can execute.
• Equip the stores. Give stores the product knowledge and selling stories that help associates recommend and sell with confidence.

Leadership & Development

• Grow the people around you. Manage, coach, and develop Assistant Buyers for their next role, and drive compliance with company buying processes, policies, and tools.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Role Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four or more years of buying experience with demonstrated progression in buying volume and financial responsibility. Retail or wholesale buying experience applies, and assistant buyer experience counts, though buyer experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the toy and gift markets, including key vendors, brands, licenses, and seasonal trends.
• Proven ability to build vendor relationships and negotiate terms, allowances, and partnership plans.
• Strong retail math, including open to buy, gross margin, turn, and markdown management.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, with advanced Excel skills.
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing buying staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Toy, gift, or general merchandise buying experience at a specialty, mass, or big-box retailer, or at a wholesaler or distributor.
• Existing relationships with toy and gift vendors and distributors, ready to grow with Books-A-Million.
• Knowledge of licensed products and how entertainment and character launches connect to toys and gifts.
• Experience using AI tools in a business setting. Training on our merchandising system and AI tools is provided.
• A lifelong learner's curiosity, continuously building your knowledge of the market, staying curious about new tools and systems, and actively seeking feedback to sharpen your buying judgment.
• A genuine eye for what customers want in a toy or a gift and a feel for what shoppers are asking for at the counter.
• A brand ambassador's mindset, representing Books-A-Million with professionalism, enthusiasm, and integrity.
• An ownership mindset: following through on every commitment, acting with urgency, and holding yourself and your partners accountable for results.
• An enterprise mindset, connecting every buy and decision to the long-term success of Books-A-Million.
• A commitment to connection and community, listening actively and building relationships that align vendors and internal teams.
• A passion for developing others, coaching Assistant Buyers and building a bench of buying talent that's ready for what's next.

Work Environment & Expectations

Scheduling requirements:

• This hybrid position is based at our home office in Birmingham, Alabama, with one day a week working from home. Mondays are not preferred for the remote day, and remote days rotate so the team is covered, including on Fridays.
• Most of the day is spent at a computer. A company laptop and phone are provided.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required to attend trade shows, vendor events, and industry events.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time, including overnight stays, by car, plane, and other modes of transportation, domestically.
• Must be able to sit at a computer or desk for extended periods and use hands/arms to operate keyboard, telephone, and for repetitive motion activities.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods during store visits, trade shows, and events, and bend, reach, stoop, or crouch while reviewing merchandise.
• Must be able to lift or move merchandise up to 25 lbs. with or without assistance.
• Must be able to communicate using speech, sight, and sound with or without assistive device.

The Perks

As part of the Books-A-Million family, we're in the business of connecting people with stories, but our story starts with our associates. We believe that when our people feel supported, valued, and cared for, they're empowered to do their best work and create exceptional experiences for our customers.

• Competitive Compensation: Competitive pay that recognizes the experience and impact you bring, plus a performance-based bonus tied to category results.
• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts to help you care for yourself and those who depend on you.
• Financial Protection: Life insurance and disability coverage that provide peace of mind when you need it most.
• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan with company matching contributions to help you invest in your future with confidence.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off so you can recharge, celebrate life's moments, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Employee Discounts: Special discounts on books, gifts, toys, collectibles, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling, resources, and support for you and your family whenever life brings unexpected challenges.

Benefit availability and eligibility are based on applicable requirements, including hours worked, employment status, position, and other plan-specific eligibility criteria.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Books-A-Million is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. We celebrate and embrace differences, and we strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their background or personal characteristics. We are dedicated to creating a culture of respect, equity, and opportunity for all employees, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.