Hybrid Paddle Sports Buyer at Nantahala Outdoor Center

Overview

 For 50 years NOC has led the outdoor industry, taking more guests whitewater rafting and teaching more paddlers than any other outdoor recreation company. NOC also provides top-quality aerial and trail-based adventures, wilderness medicine as well as unmatched retail service, foodservice, lodging, and trip planning services. Behind NOC's success is our staff’s commitment to our five core values:  Lead by Example, Service Before Self, Do the Right Thing, Work Hard/Play Hard and Make it Happen. These core values unite a community of leaders and pioneers in an exciting, fun and always changing work environment. 

NOC career opportunities offer a rare combination of work in beautiful locations, a chance to grow skills and to share a passion for active outdoor recreation. Ideal candidates are leaders in the workplace that wish to join a unique, values-driven organization. They aspire to excellence in their fields and disciplines and they demonstrate a commitment to the service of others. Above all, they want to provide guests with unforgettable experiences. If this sounds like you, we hope you'll apply to join the NOC team.  

Job Summary 

Are you passionate about all things paddling and consider yourself a leader in the Whitewater paddling world? The Nantahala Outdoor Center is known as the leader in the industry and spearheads sales, instruction and events that have made it “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” The NOC is seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual capable of working as a Paddle-Sports Buyer to support the needs of the paddling community internally and externally. In this role the person will have heavy contact with manufacturers, distributors, sales representatives, NOC’s Marketing Team, NOC’s Paddle School instructors, customers as well as other external groups and organizations. The person for this position must be articulate, be an excellent communicator who has a strong understanding in financial acumen and metric analysis, capable of handling multiple projects and directives simultaneously. The Paddle-Sports Buyer will work closely with the buying team and store manager to coordinate development of all new and existing market products. The Paddle-Sports Buyer will also have a significant level of interaction with the NOC Marketing and NOC Paddle School Teams. 

This position is full-time year-round and reports to the Director of Retail.

Responsibilities

• Identify, buy and merchandise products with attention to availability, cost, terms, turns & margins.
• Work the paddling section of our Wesser retail store a minimum of 20% of the time, between April and September.
• Acting as the company’s expert and coordinator with outside groups and associations such as boat clubs with regards to related products.
• Work closely with the eCom Supervisor to drive the paddle sports business on the noc.com webstore.
• Work closely with NOC Marketing and NOC Paddle School to engage the paddle sports community and drive sales.
• Represents NOC and their product category to manufacturers and manufacturers associates and representatives at industry shows, conventions and sales meetings.
• Select best products for multiple NOC locations.
• Monitor trends and market needs as well as activities of competitors.
• Attract and maintain positive vendor relationships.
• Track product life span – location, on hand, selling thru and when to re-order.
• Operate within departmental budgetary constraints.
• Use inventory open-to-buy model to keep appropriate stock levels.
• Data entry and maintaining inventory fidelity, purchase orders and vendor files.
• Analyzing sales reports to maintain optimum inventory levels to maximize profitability
• Conduct paddle sports related events on campus 3 times a year.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• Whitewater Paddler
• Strong Computer Skills with Microsoft Office with Excel being a requirement
• Travel to Tradeshows and Boat Manufacturers

PREFERRED

• ACA Certifications
• Social Media Marketing
• Ecommerce experience

Compensation commensurate with experience.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to see, hear, speak and write clearly in order to communicate with employees and/or other customers.
• Manual dexterity required.
• Heavy: Office work, ability to lift and move 75lbs, considerable walking

The above noted description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to provide a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position.  As the nature of business demands change, so too may the essential functions of the position.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any and all terms, conditions or privileges of employment including hiring, promotions, termination, training and compensation. The NOC does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic condition or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, where applicable. Furthermore, the NOC is committed to a work environment free of discrimination and harassment through respecting and valuing the diversity among employees and all those with whom the NOC does business.