Rural King · 17 hours ago
Buyer, Sporting Goods
Mattoon, IL, US
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$90K/yr - $115K/yr
3+ years expRural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. The Buyer for Sporting Goods will manage product assortment, financial planning, and vendor partnerships while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive sales and achieve financial goals.
AgricultureE-CommerceFarmingRetail
Responsibilities
Develop strong vendor partnerships
Partner with suppliers on product development, as well as the Global Sourcing department in private brand, product label development, as needed
Responsible for program management of co-op, vendor allowances, and promotional strategies
Negotiate all pricing, vendor terms, and opportunity buys and free goods
Oversee and manage communication with Stores and Distribution Centers
Partner with Logistics and DC for most efficient flow of product to stores
Visit RK Stores to establish open communication and understanding store challenges
Stay abreast of market dynamics and competition
Manage pricing, sales, and profit margin of products to plan
Identify new opportunities to deliver products the customer wants and needs
Conduct category reviews as needed (2-3 per year)
Develop seasonal merchandise assortments along with pricing and merchandising plans
Place, track, and ensure complete and on-time delivery of all new store orders
Provide Inventory Analyst with problems that need analysis, improvement, or change
Review recommendations from Inventory Analysts and determine direction and appropriate action
Partner with Inventory Analyst to monitor and react to seasonal product performance
Maintain detailed current knowledge of sales, inventory, and profit trends for your area
Generate and leverage reports for effective decision making
Complete assortment planning and product lifecycles
Collaborate to create financial plans (open to buy) that will align with organizational goals
Optimize "in stock" on basic items by collaborating with your designated replenishment specialists/partner
Identify poor performing items and categories and reduce inventory and liabilities
Partner with an Inventory Analyst to determine sales, inventory and turn goals including preseason flow plans and projections
Develop and submits advertising and promotional plans that deliver increases in sales and store traffic per the advertising process, pricing policy and timelines
Ensure accuracy of print advertising and product in stock to 98.5%
Collaborate with the Digital Aisle Team to identify assortment, placement, promotions, and marketing strategies to drive sales and profits. This is a core responsibility and should be a major focus
Provide timely direction on new SKU’s and new programs to Store Planning to develop and maintain accurate planograms per the Store Planning process and timelines
Ensure planograms are appropriate to volume and space of stores and grouped for volume levels
Lead the team to drive sales, manage inventory, and achieve the financial goals of the department
Create and communicate a strategic vision for the department, including visual merchandising strategies
Be a leader who will inspire and mentor your team to reach new heights for themselves and Rural King
Lead and drive impactful projects that directly contribute to the success and growth of Rural King
Play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and making a tangible difference
Lead associates in a way that exemplifies the leadership principles taught in Rural King’s Thrive Leadership Program
Use discretion and independent judgment in daily decisions while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism
Actively participate in learning initiatives offered such as training programs, workshops, and webinars. Leverage these opportunities to acquire new knowledge, refine existing skills, and stay current on the latest developments
Provide friendly, proactive, and professional internal and external support to others, assisting with inquiries, concerns, and issues promptly and effectively
Demonstrate behaviors that exemplify Rural King’s Values: People First, Integrity, Attitude, Initiative, Teamwork, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
At least 3 years of multi-unit purchasing experience or equivalent combination of experience and education
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software; high proficiency in Excel preferred
Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn Oracle Systems
Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Strong understanding of retail business practices
Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Demonstrated ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Behaviors must reflect integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
Benefits
401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%
Healthcare plans to support your needs
Virtual doctor visits
Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program
15% Associate Discount
Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program
Associate Assistance Program
RK Cares Associate Hardship Program
24/7 Chaplaincy Services
Company paid YMCA Family Membership
Company
Rural King
Rural King is America's farm and home store that provides essentials to the communities they serve.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
P
Paul Martinson
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL
2026-01-09
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