Retail Manager - Buying/Planning - Year Round

About the position

The Retail Manager - Buying/Planning is responsible for overseeing the procurement and inventory planning for retail operations at Deer Valley. This role ensures that all retail locations are stocked with the right products—including apparel, gear, accessories, and souvenirs—while optimizing inventory levels and maintaining strong vendor relationships. The ideal candidate has experience in seasonal inventory management, demand forecasting, and vendor negotiations, with a strong understanding of the ski and outdoor recreation industry.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Manager, Product Development and Retail Director to develop seasonal buying strategies and ensure retail stores are stocked with high-demand ski and outdoor products.
• Assist with sourcing, evaluating, and negotiating contracts with vendors for apparel, gear, equipment, and resort-branded merchandise.
• Manage buys for key replenishment categories such as core logowear, kids, eyewear and others as needed.
• Monitor trends in the ski and outdoor industry to select high-performing brands and products.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to secure favorable pricing, terms, and exclusive product offerings.
• Ensure timely purchasing and delivery of merchandise, considering seasonal demand fluctuations.
• Develop inventory forecasts based on historical sales data, resort occupancy, and seasonal trends.
• Utilize ERP/MRP or retail POS systems to analyze sales patterns and optimize stock levels.
• Manage inventory replenishment to avoid stockouts or overstock situations, balancing demand and carrying costs.
• Work with finance and retail teams to maintain proper inventory valuation and turnover rates.
• Collaborate with store managers to ensure product assortment aligns with guest demand and resort branding.
• Provide insights on merchandising strategies to maximize sales and enhance the guest shopping experience.
• Support promotions, discounts, and markdowns to clear seasonal inventory while maintaining profitability.
• Coordinate product launches, special buys, and exclusive resort-branded merchandise programs.
• Implement best practices for procurement, inventory planning, and supply chain efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, ethical sourcing standards, and vendor agreements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline purchasing workflows and reduce costs without sacrificing quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Merchandising, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in retail buying, inventory planning, or supply chain management, preferably in the outdoor, ski, or resort industry.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience working with outdoor, apparel, and equipment vendors.
• Knowledge of seasonal demand planning and retail inventory management.
• Proficiency in retail POS and inventory management systems (e.g., Retail Pro, Shopify, MI9 Merchant, or similar).
• Strong analytical skills with experience using Excel or BI tools for data analysis.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work across departments.
• Passion for the ski and outdoor recreation industry is a plus.

Benefits

• Ski perks (vary based on employment status) may include Deer Valley season pass, free skiing or riding at other Alterra Resorts and select local Utah resorts.
• Friends and family ski discounts, free staff ski lessons and discounted rentals (winter staff only).
• Subsidized meals at Employee Dining Rooms offered for staff while on shift.
• Subsidized housing options available for seasonal full-time staff.
• Discounts for staff members at restaurants, shops, and service providers in Park City.
• Healthcare options are available for staff members.
• 401k plan with company match.