Rural King · 3 days ago
Associate Buyer, Sporting Goods
US-IL-Mattoon
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$55K/yr - $73K/yr
1+ years expRural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. As an Associate Buyer, you will collaborate with the Buyer to drive product assortment, financial planning, and vendor partnerships while supporting sales and inventory management.
AgricultureE-CommerceFarmingRetail
Responsibilities
Work alongside a team of talented professionals who are passionate about their work and strive for excellence every day
Lead and drive impactful projects that directly contribute to the success and growth of Rural King
Collaborate with Buyers, Inventory Planners, and Sourcing to support driving sales, managing inventory, and achieving the financial goals of the department
Maintain vendor and product information (style, SKU, pricing UPC, etc.) in internal measurement unit (IMU)
Set up new vendors, items, and initial orders for seasonal and/or basic programs
Monitor Purchase Orders (PO’s) for on-time shipping and fulfillment percentage and follow up with vendors as needed
Maintain order files and execute PO cleanup
Develop strong vendor partnerships
Partner with suppliers on product development, as well as the Global Sourcing department on private 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
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 insure complete and on-time delivery of all new store orders
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
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
Ensure accuracy of print advertising and product in stock to 98.5%
Collaborate with the E-Commerce Buyer to identify assortment, placement, promotions, and marketing strategies
Provide timely direction on new SKU’s and new programs to Store Planning to develop and maintain accurate planograms
Ensure planograms are appropriate to volume and space of stores and grouped for volume levels
Learn to lead the team to drive sales, manage inventory, and achieve the financial goals of the department
Learn to create and communicate a strategic vision for the department, including visual merchandising strategies
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 1-3 years of retail experience or equivalent combination of experience and education
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn ERP and other systems
Comfortable navigating computer systems and software to assist customers or manage activities
Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of attention to detail
Strong communication and persuasive skills to negotiate and influence stakeholders at various levels in the organization
Strong understanding of retail business practices
Ability to effectively resolve conflicts and address challenges that may arise in relationships
Ability to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, adapting schedules and plans as necessary
Adaptable in response to changing priorities, unexpected challenges, and evolving business needs
Ability to maintain a seated or standing position for extended durations
Capability to lift 15 pounds periodically
Ability to navigate and access all facilities
Skill to effectively communicate verbally with others, both in-person and via electronic devices
Close vision for computer-related activities
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
2025-12-12
2025-11-03
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