Senior Buyer (Laptops/Computers)

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 Responsibilities1. 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 utilization2. 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 improvement3. 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 promotions4. 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 processes5. 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 service6. 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 playbooks7. 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