Associate Buyer - Sports

Overview: We are partnering confidentially with a globally recognized, multi-billion-dollar, New York-based retail leader on a high-impact hybrid opportunity based in New York City. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly visible merchandising team at the intersection of product, culture, and consumer trends. The Associate Buyer will play a key role in supporting the development of licensed apparel assortments, helping to drive sales, margin, and overall business performance across a dynamic, omnichannel retail environment. This role is ideal for someone who is both analytically strong and trend-aware-someone who enjoys working closely with product, interpreting data, and contributing to compelling assortments that resonate with today's consumer. Why This OpportunityThis position offers broad exposure across Buying, Planning, Merchandising, and Marketing, with the opportunity to contribute to both pre-season and in-season business decisions. The organization is continuing to invest in its merchandising capabilities and deepen its connection to sports, culture, and consumer behavior-making this an exciting time to join a team focused on innovation, relevance, and growth. What You'll OwnSupport the Buyer in developing licensed apparel assortments that drive sales and margin performance Analyze sales performance, trends, and customer insights to identify opportunities and risks Partner with Planning to support financial targets, including sales, margin, and inventory goals Assist in building product assortments based on trend insights, competitive intelligence, and business analysis Track product deliveries and communicate updates on key shipments and timelines Support vendor communication and assist in negotiating terms to optimize performance Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Marketing, and Store teams to ensure strong product execution Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, evolving environment What We're Looking For 2+ years of experience in retail or e-commerce merchandising, buying, or a related field Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and make informed recommendations Demonstrated interest in fashion, sports, and/or licensed apparel Ability to identify trends and translate insights into product opportunities Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally Proficiency in Excel; experience with tools such as Power BI or assortment planning systems is a plus Bachelor's degree preferred