Retail Buyer I

Retail Buyer I Posting Number req27288 Department Campus Store Department Website Link Campus Store Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights The Retail Buyer I position plays a vital role in supporting the procurement and inventory management for designated product categories. This role focuses on foundational buying responsibilities, including utilizing Open to Buy (OTB) tools, maintaining inventory levels, and collaborating with vendors to meet sales and budgetary objectives. The Retail Buyer I is also responsible for analyzing sales data to inform purchasing decisions and ensuring proper stock replenishment to drive sales and operational efficiency.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end buying cycle, including planning, sourcing, purchasing, and vendor management for assigned product categories.
• Utilize OTB tools to set, monitor, and adjust budgets, ensuring purchasing aligns with financial goals and inventory turnover targets.
• Leverage sales data, market trends, historical performance, and customer insights to identify purchasing opportunities and refine product assortments.
• Stay ahead of industry trends to curate a product mix that meets customer needs, drives sales, and strengthens the store's competitive position.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing, payment terms, and delivery timelines. Regularly evaluate vendor performance and source new suppliers as needed.
• Create, monitor, and track purchase orders to ensure accuracy and on-time delivery, proactively resolving any issues with vendors.
• Monitor stock levels regularly, analyzing performance against sales forecasts and OTB plans to minimize overstock or stockouts.
• Perform inventory audits and reconcile discrepancies, ensuring data accuracy within inventory management systems.
• Track key metrics such as sell-through rates, inventory turnover, and gross margin return on investment (GMROI) to inform future purchasing decisions.
• Develop strategies to manage seasonal inventory transitions and end-of-life products efficiently.
• Serve as Lead during assigned shifts, overseeing daily operations and ensuring smooth execution of sales and service goals.
• Oversee opening and closing duties, including cash handling, securing the store, and completing daily operational reports.
• Provide team leadership, resolving escalated customer issues, and supporting associates during shifts to meet organizational standards.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate promotional campaigns to drive sales and improve product visibility.
• Work collaboratively with marketing teams to align product promotions with broader business initiatives and seasonal events.
• Provide exceptional customer service for assigned product categories, offering expertise and resolving escalated inquiries.
• Support and train team members on inventory processes, merchandising strategies, and product knowledge to enhance performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of purchasing strategies, inventory systems, vendor negotiations, and retail trends.
• Demonstrated ability to forecast, plan, and dynamically adjust budgets based on data.
• Strong skills in analyzing sales data, inventory metrics, and market trends to inform purchasing decisions.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective vendor partnerships and negotiate advantageous terms.
• Capable of leading teams and collaborating across departments to meet organizational goals.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced Excel skills.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree in business, retail management, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 1 year of retail buying, merchandising, or inventory management experience.

Preferred Qualifications FLSA Non-Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category University Operations Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay $22.77 - $28.46 Compensation Type hourly rate Grade 6 Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator. Career Stream and Level PC1 Job Family Customer Service Job Function University Operations Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date 10/26/2026 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates HR-Auxiliaries@arizona.edu Open Date 10/7/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter Special Instructions to Applicant Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.