Complex

Buyer - Merchandising Manager

Complex$85K — $100K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of buying or merchandising experience in footwear, streetwear, apparel, or multi-brand e-commerce.
  • Strong understanding of retail math including OTB, margin, markup, sell-through, inventory turn, and markdowns.
  • Knowledge of the fashion calendar and sneaker/streetwear launch and drop strategies.
  • Deep understanding of fashion trends and youth culture with strong product instincts.
  • Advanced skills in Excel or Google Sheets for managing budgets and product data.
  • Strong vendor management, negotiation, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Willingness and ability to travel for market appointments and brand meetings.

Responsibilities

  • Develop seasonal assortments in footwear, apparel, and accessories aligned with financial goals.
  • Own product and category strategies to increase relevance among Complex consumers.
  • Maintain an understanding of trends to ensure representation in assortments.
  • Manage open-to-buy budgets, forecasts, and category profitability.
  • Analyze sales performance to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
  • Manage inventory levels and product availability across all channels.
  • Liaise with internal teams to align priorities and execution strategy.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
  • Commuter Benefits FSA available.
  • Short-term and long-term disability and life insurance coverage.
  • Paid parental leave offered.
  • 401k plan with a 4% match.
  • Pet insurance included.
  • Legal and identity theft protection plans offered.
  • Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy.
Full Job Description
What You'll Do

  • Develop seasonal assortments across footwear, apparel and accessories that align with merchandising, editorial and financial strategies while meeting or exceeding sales and profit goals.
  • Own product and category strategies across all channels, expanding the assortment to increase relevance among Complex consumers.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of fashion, sneakers, music, sports and cultural trends; ensure key trends are represented and test emerging concepts for commercial viability.
  • Manage open-to-buy budgets, and oversee sales forecasts, inventory, returns, margins, pricing and category profitability.
  • Analyze weekly and monthly performance-including sales velocity, sell-through, TY/LY, inventory turn, product attributes, online availability and markdowns-to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.
  • Manage the business in-season through reorders, cancellations, markdowns, pricing adjustments, inventory shifts and "chase" opportunities; conduct post-season analysis to improve future assortments.
  • Manage inventory levels, product availability, delivery schedules and the flow of goods into internal systems across all channels.
  • Ensure accurate and timely product setup, SKU creation, purchase-order entry, pricing, costing, product information and delivery tracking.
  • Act as a key liaison internally across Licensing, Merchandising, E-commerce, Marketing, Editorial, Operations and Finance to align priorities and execution.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with brands and vendors, including supporting negotiations, exclusive products, licensing initiatives and design collaborations.
  • Partner with Editorial, Marketing and E-commerce teams to develop compelling product stories for the website, email, social media, content and pop-up activations.


Who You Are

  • 5+ years of buying or merchandising experience, preferably in footwear, streetwear, apparel or multi-brand e-commerce.
  • Strong understanding of retail math, including OTB, margin, markup, sell-through, inventory turn and markdowns.
  • Knowledge of the fashion calendar, market appointments, delivery windows and sneaker/streetwear launch and drop strategies.
  • Deep understanding of footwear, streetwear, fashion trends and youth culture, with strong product instincts.
  • Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills with experience managing budgets, reports, purchase orders and product data.
  • Strong vendor management, negotiation, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Willingness and ability to travel for market appointments, trade shows, and brand meetings.


What We Offer

  • Best in class health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Healthcare FSA
  • Dependent Care FSA
  • Commuter Benefits FSA
  • Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance
  • Paid Parental leave
  • 401k with 4% match
  • Pet Insurance
  • Legal and Identity Theft Plans
  • Flexible PTO


$85,000 - $100,000 a year

The Pay Range, which consists of salary and commission, for this position is listed. Actual pay will vary based on factors including, but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Complex Total Rewards offerings for employees.

The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of the job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some incumbents assigned to the job to perform a different combination of duties.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for visa sponsorship.

About Complex

Complex is a media and entertainment company that focuses on youth culture and the intersection of music, sports, fashion, and pop culture. The company was founded in 2002 and has since grown to become a leading digital publisher, producing content across multiple platforms including web, mobile, social media, and video. Complex's properties include Complex.com, First We Feast, Pigeons & Planes, and Sole Collector, among others. The company's content is known for its unique voice, deep cultural insights, and engaging storytelling, and has won numerous awards and accolades. Complex is committed to pushing the boundaries of media and entertainment, and has a strong track record of innovation and creativity.
Learn more about Complex
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2000

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