The Buying Team Lead for TCG/Pokémon brings deep expertise in trading card games to the Ballpark Cards buying desk. You'll evaluate and acquire Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and other TCG products from walk-in customers, set buying standards, and help build out one of the strongest TCG buying desks in the DFW market. You'll also travel to shows, manage buying staff, and work hand-in-hand with inventory to ensure all TCG product is accurately catalogued.
This is a founding team role
Ballpark Cards is building its team from the ground up, and this is a founding position. You will not inherit someone else's systems — you will create them. We hire people who can do the job today and lead a team doing it tomorrow, and we promote from within before we look outside. Compensation is formally reviewed at 90 days and annually thereafter, with earlier reviews when scope expands.
About Ballpark Cards
Ballpark Cards is Arlington's premier sports card and memorabilia destination, located at Choctaw Stadium directly across from Globe Life Field — home of the Texas Rangers. As an official strategic partner of the Rangers, we're more than a retail shop: we're a community hub where collectors touch cards, trade, socialize, and experience the hobby at the highest level. We're a people-first, values-driven team!
What you'll do
TCG Purchasing
- Evaluate and purchase Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and other TCG singles and collections from walk-in customers
- Set clear TCG buying standards and pricing structures based on current market comps and store needs
- Authenticate cards and identify Stolen, counterfeit, proxy, or resealed products before purchase
- Grade condition accurately (NM/LP/MP/HP/DMG) and price accordingly
Show & Event Acquisition
- Travel to card shows, TCG events, and industry gatherings to acquire desirable inventory
- Build relationships with the local player and collector community as a source of consistent buys
Inventory Coordination
- Work with the Inventory Manager – Singles & Card Bar to log TCG purchases, assign proper SKUs, and set competitive retail prices
- Maintain accurate records of cost of goods for all TCG products
Team Development
- Train and supervise part-time buying staff in TCG valuation, customer interaction, and use of pricing tools
- Provide ongoing guidance on which TCG items to acquire based on demand and margin potential
- Review and approve offers above a set dollar threshold
What we're looking for
- Extensive knowledge of Pokémon and other major TCG markets — grading, authentication, condition standards, and market valuation
- Proven buying and selling experience in Pokémon, Magic, or other TCG products
- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to assess collections quickly and accurately
- Familiarity with TCG pricing tools (TCGplayer, eBay sold listings, PriceCharting, etc.)
- Awareness of set rotations, reprints, and format changes that affect value
- Leadership or training experience a strong plus
- Comfortable representing Ballpark Cards at shows and community events, including overnight travel
Nice to have
- Prior experience at a card shop or game store buying desk
- Strong network in the DFW or national TCG community
- Experience with grading Pokémon cards
- Familiarity with Japanese-language sets and imports
Compensation and growth
- Base pay: $65,000 – $78,000 per year
- Eligible for performance-based compensation tied to realized buy margin and inventory quality.
- Formal compensation review at 90 days and annually thereafter, with off-cycle reviews when responsibilities expand.
- Where this role goes: You are the first TCG buying hire, building this desk from the ground up and leading the buyers who join it.
Why Ballpark Cards
- A founding-team role — you help build this business, not maintain someone else's
- A one-of-a-kind workplace in the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District
- Front-row access to Texas Rangers games, events, and exclusive memorabilia
- A passionate, close-knit team that genuinely loves sports cards and the hobby
- Real room to grow — we promote from within first, and these roles are designed to expand as the business scales
- A culture built on respect, authenticity, and community
Pay: $65,000.00 - $78,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
