Buyer

Company Overview

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. The company ignites the passions of global sports fans and maximizes the presence and reach for hundreds of sports partners globally by offering innovative products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans, a global partner network with over 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, teams, players associations, athletes, celebrities, colleges, and college conferences, and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail business stores. 

As a market leader with more than 18,000 employees, and hundreds of partners, suppliers, and vendors worldwide, we take responsibility for driving toward more ethical and sustainable practices. We are committed to building an inclusive Fanatics community, reflecting and representing society at every level of the business, including our employees, vendors, partners and fans. Fanatics is also dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities where we all live, work, and play through strategic philanthropic initiatives. 

Role Purpose: 

Lead & Drive Category Range, Price & Supplier Strategy, whilst delivering Sales & Profit.

Responsibilities:

•Responsible for development of Supplier & Category/Department Strategy

•Maximise supplier/ category profit & sales.

•Work with suppliers/licensees & brands to build deeper commercial relationships to deliver strategy.

•Negotiate terms of contract to deliver greatest commercial return for the business.

•Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products.

•Present strategy & ranging plans to key stakeholders

•Manages Supplier/ Department Planning to support Business Objectives

•Maximise intake margin whilst ensuring pricing strategy remains competitive.

•Responsible for intro Pricing Strategy with focus on key territories 

•Work with merchandising to create & deliver supplier/ category plan

•Work with merchandising to ensure buys are aligned to financial budgets.

•Responsible for Range Selection & Product & Range development

•Deliver ranging strategy

•Review Performance & lead Market Research

•Research market & conduct feedback sessions to ensure all opportunities are maximised

•Work closely with our partners to build cohesive ranges

•Review current ranges and products to remain competitive and relevant

•Interrogate sales reports to identify consumer buying patterns to ensure we predict future trends & identify ranging opportunities.

•Reacting to changes in demand

•Drives trading & marketing, optimizing sales and profitability

•Deliver range presentations

•Liaise with Business Management to deliver marketing plan

•Manage & Mentor Assistant Buyer/s to ensure strategy is delivered across all suppliers/ categories

You may also be required from time to time to work additional hours including but not limited to providing support around events and hot markets. This may involve weekend and late-night working and International travel may be required.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience within a retail and branded buying environment  

• Experience of defining and delivering a category or supplier strategy

• A track record of delivering sales, margin & performance targets

• Have great experience of working and negotiating with suppliers/ brands

•  Previous Management and employee development experience

• Ability to make own decisions, taking responsibility for actions and delivering high performance results with the confidence to take some risks

• Strong communication skills, the ability to build relationships and influence both internally & externally at all levels

• Knowledge of sports product/ industry is preferable 

Benefits:

This a great opportunity to join our fast-paced, dynamic and entrepreneurial business, and these are some of the benefits you can expect as an employee.

•The chance to work with world leading sports clubs and brands 

•Working within a growing, fast-paced and forward-thinking business 

•40% staff discount 

•Nationwide Theme Park discounts 

•Bike to work scheme

We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate diversity and inclusivity at Fanatics. Our commitment to inclusion drives us forward every day; across all races, gender, gender identities, age, sexual orientation, religion & spiritual beliefs, neurodiversity, disability and all identities of our people both current and future. If you have any requirement(s) for reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, and/or to perform essential job functions, please contact us.

Tryouts are open at Fanatics! Our team is passionate, talented, unified, and charged with creating the fan experience of tomorrow. The ball is in your court now.

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud.  Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics or Fanatics Brand email address.  For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers

Fanatics is committed to responsible planning and purchasing (RPP) practices, working with its business partners across its global and multi-layered supply chain, to ensure that planning, sourcing, and purchasing decisions, along with other supporting processes, do not impede or conflict with the fulfillment of Fanatics’ fair labor practices.