At Fanatics Commerce, we’re more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise – we’re a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Buyer is a category owner, responsible for curating a compelling assortment and driving performance across a defined product category. This leader plays a critical role in bringing the Fanatics brand to life through innovative product strategy, vendor partnerships, and end-to-end merchandise execution.
Reporting to the Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM), the Buyer partners closely with Planning, Product Development, Site Experience, Marketing, and Supply Chain to build and manage an assortment that delivers for fans — financially, emotionally, and experientially.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:
Category Strategy & Assortment Execution
- Support the development and execution of the merchandising strategy for your category, aligned to brand goals and financial targets.
- Build a balanced, trend-right assortment that blends accessibility and exclusivity — grounded in data, fan insights, and product performance.
- Manage the category’s 'Good, Better, best' framework and product lifecycle — from initial buy through markdown and exit.
- Partner with Product Development to shape vertical brand assortment and optimize positioning within the category.
Vendor & Market Partner Engagement
- Build strong relationships with vendor and brand partners to drive growth, product exclusivity, and innovation.
- Collaborate on seasonal strategies, assortment reviews, and go-to-market planning.
- Negotiate costs, terms, and exclusives in partnership with the DMM and General Merchandise Manager.
- Curate the vendor matrix to optimize productivity, reduce redundancy, and elevate product storytelling.
Business Performance & Financial Accountability
- Own in-season management of sales, margin, inventory, and turn for your category.
- Leverage insights to drive pricing, promotion, and markdown decisions.
- Collaborate with Planning to align OTB, receipt flow, and in-season reforecasting.
- Track and report on category performance; make recommendations to accelerate profitable growth.
Team Collaboration & Talent Development
- Be a culture carrier and active contributor to the broader Merchandising team.
- Share insights, tools, and best practices across divisions to elevate team thinking.
- Support onboarding and coaching of Assistant Buyers and Coordinators.
Model our BOLD Leadership Principles:
- Build Championship Teams: Contribute to a winning culture rooted in accountability and collaboration.
- Obsessed with Fans: Make decisions that prioritize fan value, experience, and emotion.
- Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit: Stay curious, seek innovation, and challenge what’s possible.
- Determined and Relentless Mindset: Operate with urgency, resilience, and follow-through.
Fan Obsession & Market Awareness
- Stay closely connected to the voice of the fan — tracking trends, social signals, and product sentiment.
- Monitor the competitive landscape to ensure category relevance and differentiation.
- Be an expert in your category across vertical and market brands — including brand equity, cost architecture, and vendor capability.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:
- 2 + years of experience in Merchandising or Buying, with proven success in assortment management and vendor partnerships.
- Experience in vertical/private brand and market vendor businesses is a plus.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to make data-informed decisions.
- Passion for product, fans, and delivering innovation at speed.
- Team player with high accountability and growth mindset.
At Fanatics, we value transparency and honesty. If you don’t meet every single requirement, that’s okay – we still want to hear from you! We believe in the power of diverse experiences and talents. If you’re excited about the role and confident that you can contribute, don’t hesitate to apply. We’re genuinely interested in how your unique skills and perspective can help us build something amazing together.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:
Culture: Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you’ll be empowered to help shape our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.
Benefits: At Fanatics, we’re dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life; as such we offer a range of competitive benefits tailored to each country in which we operate. Specific details regarding the benefits package applicable to your location will be shared and discussed during the interview process.
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com<http://www.fanatics.com/>.
Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
- Build Championship Teams
- Obsessed with Fans
- Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Determined and Relentless Mindset
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
