Retail Operations & Purchasing Associate

Job Summary

The Retail Operations / Purchasing Associate supports assortment and demand execution for company-owned retail — assisting with purchasing, vendor relations, inventory accuracy, and POS data integrity across Lightspeed, Oracle, and related systems. The role delivers data-backed insights that inform and validate decisions across Specialized Retail markets and helps maintain a consolidated national channel plan and forecast. They develop expertise in our product, data, and systems and maintain strong relationships with store teams, Retail Assortment & Purchasing Lead, the commercial sales team, and shared services colleagues to optimize inventory performance and drive profitability.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Systems & Data Integrity: Maintain accurate POS data across systems (Lightspeed, Oracle) through SKU setup, pricing updates, and product master management.
• Purchasing & Vendor Management: Support PO creation, order processing, vendor onboarding, and issue resolution to ensure timely delivery and strong vendor relationships.
• Inventory Accuracy & Reconciliation: Manage inventory movements, transfers, and adjustments across locations; partner with Finance and stores to resolve discrepancies; coordinate inbound timing and reduce aged/NIL inventory.
• Process Standardization: Develop and maintain SOPs and SLAs to standardize workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce costs across store operations.
• Reporting & Analytics: Deliver reporting, KPI tracking, and insights across operations, including compliance, shrink, payroll, performance, and product analytics; support recurring sales and inventory reporting.
• Assortment Planning: Support location-level assortment planning aligned with national strategy; review range plans and adjust based on performance trends.
• Demand Forecasting: Assist in SKU-level forecasting using historical data, inventory, and market inputs; monitor trends and collaborate cross-functionally to refine forecasts.
• Product Launches: Support new product allocations and transitions to meet revenue goals in alignment with category, planning, and sales teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal teams and external vendors to support inventory performance and operational objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to process improvements, KPI development, and system enhancements; support pilots and cross-functional initiatives.
• Field Engagement: Travel to retail locations to support operations and ownership transitions as needed.

What You Need To Win

• Experience with retail systems such as Lightspeed, Oracle, or similar POS, ERP, or inventory platforms.
• High attention to detail with proven ability to maintain data accuracy, reconcile discrepancies, and manage high-volume SKU and pricing updates.
• Working knowledge of retail operational workflows, including receiving, cash handling, shrink management, payroll controls, and store compliance.
• Ability to create and maintain SOPs and process documentation, with a focus on standardization and continuous improvement.
• Problem-solving mindset, with the ability to troubleshoot system issues, inventory discrepancies, and process gaps.
• Ability to work independently and within small, resource-constrained teams, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

This is a remote position. Ideal candidate will reside near a Specialized company owned retail location

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Industry leading Employee Purchase program

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance*

Compensation
California: $70,304 annually

For eligible employees

Tell me more

Industry leading Employee Purchase program
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance*
Compensation
California: $70,304 annually

For eligible employees

Tell me more