Cavender's
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Footwear Buyer
role at
Cavender's
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
Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, or related field, or equivalent work experience
6+ years of progressive buying experience in retail, preferably with footwear
2+ years of experience in merchandising team leadership
Strong knowledge of buying principles and product lifecycle
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong understanding of retail KPIs and financials
Demonstrated negotiation and vendor management skillsAbility to travel up to 20%
Preferred Skills
Prior experience buying or managing footwear categories
Familiarity with western and work footwear brands
Experience building private label or exclusive product assortments
Strong analytical and quantitative decision‑making skills
Background in merchandising across both store and e‑commerce environments
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.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Product Management and Management, Industries: Retail
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Footwear Buyer
role at
Cavender's
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
Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising, Business, or related field, or equivalent work experience
6+ years of progressive buying experience in retail, preferably with footwear
2+ years of experience in merchandising team leadership
Strong knowledge of buying principles and product lifecycle
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong understanding of retail KPIs and financials
Demonstrated negotiation and vendor management skillsAbility to travel up to 20%
Preferred Skills
Prior experience buying or managing footwear categories
Familiarity with western and work footwear brands
Experience building private label or exclusive product assortments
Strong analytical and quantitative decision‑making skills
Background in merchandising across both store and e‑commerce environments
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.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Product Management and Management, Industries: Retail
#J-18808-Ljbffr