Job Description

Senior Buyer, Pro Audio & Music

Founded over 50 years ago as a family‑owned, privately held business, Client has grown to 150+ employees across our Brooklyn headquarters, North Brunswick warehouse, and our Lakewood, NJ retail store. We fuel creativity, support our partners, and deliver an exceptional customer experience. Guided by our core values—teamwork, responsibility, excellence, adaptability, and results—we collaborate across departments to bring the world’s best pro‑audio and music gear to our customers.

Role Overview

As Senior Buyer for our Pro Audio & Music category, you’ll own product selection, vendor relationships, and inventory strategy for microphones, mixers, speakers, instruments, and more. You’ll manage a team of 1–3 buyers and work alongside Sales (marketplace, website, wholesale, and Lakewood store teams), Marketing, Operations, and Finance to forecast demand, negotiate terms, and ensure our catalog stays on the cutting edge of technology and customer needs. You’ll also present at industry trade shows to grow existing vendor partnerships and cultivate new ones. This is a hybrid schedule: four days in our Brooklyn office and one day remote.

Key Responsibilities

1. Vendor & Partnership Management

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with pro‑audio manufacturers, distributors, and sales teams
• Attend industry tradeshows and vendor events to identify new products and deepen existing partnerships
• Prepare compelling pitch decks and co‑marketing proposals that demonstrate Company's value as a partner
• Collaborate with Purchasing to monitor vendor health—delivery performance, product quality, and fund utilization

2. Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 1–3 buyers, setting clear goals and conducting quarterly performance reviews
• Oversee daily workflows, promote cross‑training, and foster a culture of ownership and continuous improvement

3. Assortment Planning & Product Selection

• Analyze market trends, customer insights, and sales data to define category assortment strategy
• Source new product lines—from entry‑level to pro‑grade gear—and manage phase‑outs of underperformers
• Partner with Marketing and Sales to plan product launches, in‑store demos, and online promotions

4. Demand Forecasting & Inventory Management

• Build and maintain rolling forecasts based on historical sales, seasonality, and promotional calendars
• Set and manage inventory targets—reorder points, safety stock, and turn goals—to minimize out‑of‑stocks and overstock
• Coordinate with Operations to streamline receiving, warehousing, and fulfillment processes

5. Negotiation & Cost Optimization

• Lead negotiations on pricing, payment terms, and volume discounts to achieve target gross margins
• Maximize vendor MDF and cooperative marketing funds in collaboration with Marketing
• Audit costs, shipping fees, and freight terms; recommend cost‑saving initiatives without compromising service

6. Performance Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor key metrics—sell‑through rates, margin contribution, turns—and deliver actionable insights to leadership
• Conduct vendor scorecards and quarterly business reviews to drive accountability and improvements
• Implement process enhancements—SOP refinements, system automations, and cross‑functional playbooks

7. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales (marketplace, website, wholesale, Lakewood store) to align product assortments with channel strategies
• Partner with Finance on P&L forecasting, budget planning, and expense controls
• Liaise with Customer Service to address product quality issues, warranty claims, and returns trends

Qualifications

• 5+ years of buying or merchandising experience in pro‑audio, music retail, or a related specialty category
• Proven ability to manage and mentor a small team
• Deep market knowledge of professional audio equipment and emerging technologies
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing favorable vendor terms
• Advanced Excel and BI‑tool proficiency (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and comfort with ERP purchasing modules
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities
• Willingness to travel for trade shows and vendor meetings (approx. 6–8 events per year)

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, uncapped commission
• Hybrid schedule: four days in our Brooklyn office, one day remote
• Opportunity to shape a dynamic pro‑audio category and work with leading global brands
• Professional development support, including training and certifications
• A collaborative, values‑driven culture where your expertise makes a direct impact

If you’re a strategic, market‑focused buyer who thrives on vendor relationships and driving category growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs