Footwear Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

The Footwear Buyer is responsible for product selection, pricing, and promotional strategies for footwear to achieve sales, margin, and profit goals. This role is highly product-focused and drives results through strong vendor partnerships, detailed analysis, and customer-centric decision-making. The Buyer collaborates closely with the Planning and Merchandising teams to ensure the right styles, sizes, and fits are available at the right time and place, maximizing inventory investment and enhancing the customer experience. Key responsibilities include trend analysis, strategy development, and proactive response to sales performance. This position reports to the Divisional Merchandise Manager and requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic partner and key support resource to the company
• Lead junior Merchandising Department Associates to deliver on financial and talent goals
• Oversee a high-volume, multi-category footwear business, including omnichannel strategy for stores and e-commerce
• Make product decisions rooted in brand integrity and an understanding of our core customer, ensuring high satisfaction
• Set priorities, foster cohesion, and provide motivation to cross-functional teams
• Develop and communicate a conceptual assortment plan across all footwear departments that align with financial goals (style mix, key items, retails, IMU, AUR, etc.)
• Partner with Planning to execute appropriate financial and distribution strategies to maximize sales, margin, and inventory turn
• Determine order quantities by style, size, and color; validate orders against OTB plans
• Ensure store-level depth and SKU assortment meets volume-based demand
• Maximize e-commerce footwear sales, margin, and messaging
• Partner with the Director of Marketing to identify and promote key footwear styles
• Manage, develop, and coach direct reports and support talent development
• Assess competition in the footwear space for pricing, trends, and marketing strategies; adjust accordingly to maintain leadership
• Travel as needed to attend markets, store visits, vendor meetings, and training

Qualifications and Requirements

Preferred Skills

Cavender’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, military status, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other personal characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

Cavender’s will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability upon request. If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application, please call Customer Service at (888) 361-2555 or visit your nearest Cavender’s store.