Buyer

About the role

Escape Outdoors equips the community for everyday adventure as a premier boutique outdoor and lifestyle brand, offering top‑tier apparel, footwear, and gear across physical store locations and a growing DTC e‑commerce business. Part of an award‑winning, locally founded retail group based in Augusta, Georgia, which also includes The Swank Company and Posh Tots, the company delivers vibrant shopping experiences both in‑store and online across the Augusta area and nationwide.

Position Summary: Location: Augusta, GA (Onsite, multi‑location); Job Type: Full‑Time or Part‑Time; Department: Buying & Receiving. The Buyer / Procurement Coordinator or Manager / Sourcing Coordinator or Manager will take true ownership of the product lifecycle, balancing analytical procurement with strategic visual merchandising, working onsite and traveling regularly among Augusta‑area stores (West Lake Commons, Furys Ferry Rd., Surrey Center, Riverwood) to ensure the vision comes to life online and on the sales floor.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing & Vendor Relations: Identify, negotiate, and build strong relationships with reputable vendors, suppliers, and distributors; lead regular vendor reviews to ensure quality and brand alignment.
• Inventory Strategy: Own the buying logic; use data‑driven insights to know exactly when to buy, hold, or execute markdowns and sales events.
• Catalog & Collections Management: Take full responsibility for the product catalog and Shopify collections for Escape Outdoors; proactively collaborate with the virtual assistant team for seamless data entry, accurate digital merchandising, and organized online storefronts.
• Cross‑Functional Teamwork: Partner with operations and logistics teams for timely product arrivals; work hand‑in‑hand with the marketing team to align on product launches, promotions, and seasonal events.
• Visual Merchandising: Step into brick‑and‑mortar locations to proactively identify opportunities for better product placements and layout, propose fresh ideas, and physically implement merchandising improvements.
• Drive Growth: Operate as a self‑managed leader; plan, direct, and execute strategies that elevate the business, with management receptive to new ideas.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Retail Expertise: Proven, hands‑on experience in Direct‑to‑Consumer (DTC) retail is an absolute must.
• Platform Knowledge: Strong familiarity and working knowledge of Shopify is a plus.
• Professional Background: Solid experience as a Buyer, Procurement Specialist, or Sourcing Manager in the apparel, outdoor, or lifestyle space.
• The Right Mindset: Highly organized, self‑motivated, and comfortable leading initiatives from start to finish with a mix of creative and analytical thinking.
• Flexibility: Reliable transportation and a willingness to travel frequently between local stores.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications
• Employee discounts across all group retail brands (Escape Outdoors, The Swank Company, and Posh Tots)
• Opportunities for growth within a dynamic, expanding local retail group