Category Buyer- Home Decor, Seasonal & Patio

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Job Title: Category Buyer - Home Décor, Seasonal & Patio
Location: Corporate Support Center, Glendora CA; Hybrid/Travel Nationally/Travel Internationally (~20-30% travel)
Status: Full Time / Salary Exempt
Reporting Relationships: Vice President of Marketing & Purchasing
Work Schedule: Hours will vary by season. This position will require occasional weekend work.

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Ornate brown metal birdbath with a small bird sculpture on the edge in a garden setting

Are you ready for a change?

Armstrong Garden Centers and Pike Nurseries are seeking a strategic, trend‑driven Category Buyer to own the end‑to‑end merchandising and procurement strategy for Home Décor, Holiday/Seasonal Items, and Patio Furniture. This role leads category vision, vendor strategy, and financial performance across 46 retail locations in a multi‑region footprint, balancing creativity with disciplined execution.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Merchandising & Trend Analysis

· Identify and forecast consumer trends in home décor, seasonal merchandise, and outdoor living categories

· Develop compelling, regionally relevant assortments aligned with brand positioning and customer preferences

· Lead seasonal and holiday category calendars, including long‑lead planning, open‑to‑buy management, and post‑season analysis

· Anticipate and mitigate inventory and demand risk inherent in seasonal and trend‑driven categories

Sourcing & Vendor Management

· Source products from domestic and international vendors, negotiating terms including lead times, exclusivity, payment terms, freight, and margin structure

· Establish, manage, and strengthen vendor relationships to drive collaboration, innovation, and long-term value

· Lead vendor performance reviews, ensuring accountability for quality, pricing, service levels, and on-time delivery

· Identify and onboard new vendors to enhance product assortment and competitive positioning

· Attend trade shows and market events to discover new products and suppliers

Inventory & Allocation

· Manage the flow of goods and replenishment across 46 retail locations in multiple states, ensuring optimal inventory levels

· Collaborate with store, operation and visual merchandising teams on product arrival, pricing, merchandising plan, and replenishment plan

· Balance inventory investment with sales performance to minimize markdowns and excess stock

Financial Management

· Own full category P&L, including sales growth, gross margin, markdown risk, and inventory investment

· Develop annual and seasonal category strategies aligned to business objectives and regional customer needs

· Monitor KPIs and adjust strategies to meet or exceed financial targets

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Partner with marketing, store operations, and visual merchandising teams to support product launches and promotions

· Ensure alignment between product assortment, seasonal campaigns, and in-store execution

We are excited about your next step

If you're ready to jump in and feel that your background would be a great fit for this position - let us hear from you.

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Qualifications & Requirements

· 5+ years of progressive buying or category management experience in specialty retail, lifestyle, home décor, garden, or seasonal categories

· Strong understanding of merchandising, pricing strategies, and gross margin management

· Experience sourcing products both domestically and internationally

· Proven experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating favorable terms

· Proven ability to analyze sales data and translate insights into actionable strategies

· Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

· Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple categories and deadlines simultaneously

· Proficiency in retail systems, forecasting tools, and Microsoft Excel

What Success Looks Like

· Strong, differentiated product assortments that drive customer engagement and sales

· Consistent achievement of sales, margin, and inventory turn goals

· Effective product flow and inventory management across all store locations

· High-performing vendor partnerships and innovative product sourcing

· Seasonal programs become more disciplined, differentiated, and profitable

Preferred Attributes

· Passion for home décor, seasonal merchandising, and outdoor living trends

· Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability

· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-location retail environment

Armstrong Garden Centers offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to attract and retain exceptional leadership talent.

Employee Ownership

· Armstrong is a 100% employee‑owned company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

· Leaders directly contribute to the long-term financial success of the company

Compensation & Benefits

· Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

· Performance-based bonus opportunities

· Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

· 401(k) plan with company match (in addition to the ESOP)

· Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

· The opportunity to lead in a scenic, outdoor-oriented retail environment with a culture of independence and agility

We want to hear from you

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See what you are looking for? We want to hear from you. We are always looking for great talent on our team.

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Have questions or don't see what you are looking for? We still want to hear from you. Our Human Resources team is here to help.