Associate Buyer, Retail Events

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.

At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.

As we continue to scale our global platform, the Associate Buyer, Retail Events will play a critical role in strengthening merchandise assortment, supporting category performance, and elevating fan experiences at scale. 

ROLE OVERVIEW 

The Associate Buyer, Retail Events is a foundational member of the Merchandising team, supporting a Buyer in managing day-to-day merchandising tasks, vendor communications, and cross-functional coordination with teams across Planning, Product Development, Marketing, and Site Experience. This role builds essential merchandising skills and cross-functional relationships that create a clear path to progression into a Buyer role, operating in a collaborative, fast-paced environment based in Jacksonville, FL, with travel to vendor meetings, market appointments, and industry events as business needs require. The Associate Buyer, Retail Events delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights. 

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT 

Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes. 

Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams) 

• Provides critical operational support to Associate Buyers and Buyers, enabling the team to focus on strategic priorities. 

• Supports cross-functional partners in Planning, Product Development, Marketing, and Site Experience to drive a seamless fan experience and achieve business objectives. 

• Contributes to a culture of accountability, collaboration, and curiosity, embodying Fanatics' BOLD Leadership Principles in every interaction and deliverable. 

Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans) 

• Shares competitive and fan insights with the team to inform and strengthen category strategy. 

• Tracks promotional and markdown execution to ensure the right products reach fans at the right time and price. 

• Champions an inclusive workplace where diversity, equity, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve business goals. 

Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit) 

• Prepares materials for vendor meetings and line reviews with accuracy and attention to detail. 

• Applies curiosity and creative thinking to improve category execution and operational processes. 

• Adapts quickly to changing business needs and supports the team through shifting priorities. 

Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset) 

• Sets up new items, SKUs, and product attributes with accuracy in merchandising systems, and tracks samples, organizes product information, and supports photo shoots and marketing needs. 

• Assists in managing purchase orders, delivery timelines, and product flow, communicating regularly with vendors to ensure product information, samples, and orders are accurate and timely. 

• Pulls and analyzes weekly sales, inventory, and margin reports to identify risks and opportunities, embedding Fanatics values into daily operations, decision-making, and team interactions. 

AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY 

We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to: 

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes 

• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance 

• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working 

• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement 

CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING 

Required Qualifications: 

• 2+ years of experience in merchandising, retail, eCommerce, or a related field. 

• Strong organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

• Comfort with Excel and merchandising systems, with eagerness to learn and apply financial metrics. 

• Curiosity about product, fans, and sports culture, with a team-first mindset and desire to grow into a merchandising leader. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with vendors and cross-functional partners. 

• Highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. 

Education: 

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred, not required. 

WORK LOCATION 

Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in Jacksonville, FL subject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence 3 days per week. 

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - 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.

ABOUT US

Fanatics is a leading global sports platform redefining how fans connect with the teams, players and moments they love. Our businesses — Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, Fanatics Events, Fanatics Advertising, Fanatics Markets and Fanatics Studios — maximize the presence and reach for hundreds of partners globally and create a one-stop experience that allows fans to buy, bet, collect, and earn, while engaging with sports in deeper, more immersive ways. This includes licensed fan gear and lifestyle products, sportsbook and iGaming, physical and digital trading cards, live events, premium sports entertainment content, credit card offerings and more. Together, they form a powerful, integrated ecosystem — connected by the Fanatics ONE loyalty program and FanCash, the currency of sport — delivering personalized experiences to over 100 million fans worldwide. Fanatics holds partnerships with over 900 sports properties, from professional leagues and players’ associations to teams, colleges and retail partners; over 7,000 athletes and celebrities; and over 2,000 retail locations, including all Lids stores. Backed by a team of more than 22,000 employees, Fanatics is committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience.

ABOUT THE TEAM
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.

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, 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

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2+ years of experience in merchandising, retail, eCommerce, or a related field. 
Strong organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
Comfort with Excel and merchandising systems, with eagerness to learn and apply financial metrics. 
Curiosity about product, fans, and sports culture, with a team-first mindset and desire to grow into a merchandising leader. 
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with vendors and cross-functional partners. 
Highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.