Position Available: Associate Buyer - Climbing

Full/Part Time: Part Time (~20 hrs/wk)

Compensation: $24+/hr DOE

Job Description & Responsibilities:

Ever dream of being able to buy hundreds of quickdraws? Want to put your knowledge of pitons and ice screws to use? Enjoy geeking out on the newest gear before it even hits the market? Join the team at Wilderness Exchange as an Associate Buyer in charge of the climbing category.

At Wilderness Exchange, our mission is to make the outdoors more affordable and accessible. We serve the Front Range climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, backcountry skiing and split-boarding community with the highest level of customer service, the deepest selection of technical gear, and the best deals to be found on outdoor equipment anywhere. Successfully buying for hard goods categories as well as assorting multiple categories cross-departmentally for an omni-channel specialty retail operation requires an intimate knowledge of mountain adventure sports as well as a big-picture awareness of greater industry market trends, a precise and analytical view of inventory and financial metrics, and an art of curating a logical assortment that offers our customers value and clear choices. Below are the four fundamental responsibilities of the buying position, which is approximately 20 hours a week and will require two days/week onsite:

Buying/ Assorting

• Buying for multiple key categories, for brick and mortar as well as online sales channels, and being responsible for an annual budget of over $1mil
• Managing about 50 active vendors and accurately documenting all orders
• Adeptly maneuvering programs around the dynamic nature of closeout and off-priced buying that is fundamental to the Wilderness Exchange assortment.

Category Management

• Directing all merchandising and product placement of climbing categories
• Directing all closeout product logistics that fall under climbing categories
• Communicating all orders to stakeholders

Reporting/ Analytics

• Monitoring category and sub category performance metrics
• Monitoring sell-through and maximizing inventory turns
• Growing revenue of all lines and categories at a sustainable rate in line with greater company goals
• Monitoring performance of lines across in-store and online channels and adjusting buying strategies for on-line sales when appropriate. Being flush for the rush when items become hot on-line

Relationship Management

• Maintaining excellent relationships with sales reps, in-house customer service reps, and vendors.
• Soliciting and accepting input from sales floor on gaps in assortment and customer requests
• Serving as a resource to staff for ongoing product education

In order to be successful in this position, the buyer should have a solid understanding of all styles of climbing, including gym, bouldering, sport, traditional, aid, ice, and big wall, and be a specialist, with a high degree of knowledge, in their active disciplines. The buyer should be an active outdoor climber.

Other Job Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years buying experience in the outdoor industry
• In-depth knowledge of the categories of which you will be buying
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work through sometimes stressful situations and pivot as business needs change
• Good sense of humor is preferred, but not required

Benefits Include, but are not limited to:

• Paid sick leave for all staff
• Flexible schedule - Minimum 2 days a week in-store
• Pro-Deals and discounts on gear
• Always have a climbing/skiing partner

If you think you are a good fit for this position, please send a professional resume and an outdoor resume to the following hiring managers:

Jeff Keele - jeff@wildernessx.com

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Experience:

• Retail buying: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Denver, CO 80202: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Denver, CO 80202