Retail Buyer

At Pursuit, we offer more than just a place to visit, we create opportunities for our guests to truly connect with iconic destinations. Our experiences include world-class attractions and distinctive lodges, all designed to highlight the unique beauty of each location. Beyond that, we offer thoughtfully crafted restaurants, retail, and transportation services that help our guests immerse themselves fully in the experience. What ties it all together are the friendly faces you’ll find along the way, the thoughtful amenities, and the delightful details that make every visit feel personal and unforgettable.

As a Retail Buyer, you will shape the merchandise experience across Pursuit's iconic destinations by developing compelling assortments, sourcing unique products, and building strong vendor partnerships. You will balance creativity and analysis to deliver exceptional guest experiences, drive sales growth, improve profitability, and optimize inventory investments across the retail portfolio. Working closely with Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Brand teams, you will help bring each destination's story to life through thoughtfully curated merchandise programs.

This position is based in either Canmore or Banff and is a highly collaborative, field-oriented role that requires frequent travel to Pursuit locations and an active presence within stores to understand guests, support teams, and identify opportunities firsthand. Success in this role is built on maintaining strong in-store relationships, understanding guest purchasing behaviours, and actively supporting retail teams throughout the operating season.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Merchandise Strategy & Buying

• Own assigned merchandise categories from assortment planning and vendor selection through execution and performance review.
• Develop and execute merchandise assortment strategies for assigned retail locations.
• Source, evaluate, and purchase products that align with location-specific visions, guest preferences, and brand standards.
• Increase destination-inspired, exclusive, locally made, sustainable, and Canadian-made product offerings where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to improve category performance through assortment optimization and product innovation.
• Launch new products and programs on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with store leadership teams to identify assortment opportunities and local market needs.
• Monitor retail, tourism, apparel, giftware, and consumer trends to identify opportunities that enhance the guest experience and drive sales growth.

Inventory Planning & Financial Management

• Own Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans and purchasing forecasts for assigned locations.
• Monitor inventory levels, sales performance, gross margin, inventory turns, and aged inventory.
• Analyze trends and performance data to make informed replenishment and purchasing decisions.
• Reduce stock-outs, minimize excess inventory, and improve inventory productivity.
• Ensure purchasing decisions align with budgets, inventory targets, and profitability objectives.

Vendor & Product Development Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, freight programs, rebates, and product costs to improve profitability and support margin objectives.
• Manage vendor performance and work collaboratively to improve quality, profitability, and delivery timelines.
• Lead and support custom product development initiatives from concept through launch.
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Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner closely with Attraction, Hotel, Brand, Operations, Finance, Initiatives & Experience and Marketing teams.
• Build strong partnerships with store leadership teams to understand market opportunities, guest feedback, operational challenges, and emerging trends.
• Align assortment strategies with business objectives, brand positioning, and guest experience goals.
• Provide regular updates regarding product development, sourcing status, launch timelines, and merchandise performance.
• Gather and incorporate feedback from operational teams and key stakeholders throughout the buying process.

Operational Support

• Conduct frequent in-person visits to retail locations throughout the operating season to evaluate merchandising standards, inventory health, product placement, guest purchasing trends, and overall retail performance.
• Build strong working relationships with store leadership teams through regular on-site collaboration and support.
• Leverage observations from store visits to identify opportunities, improve assortments, and enhance the guest experience.
• Support store openings, closures, renovations, and physical inventory counts as required.
• Provide recommendations to improve merchandising standards, visual presentation, and commercial performance.
• Assist operational teams in maintaining strong inventory accuracy and retail standards.

Reporting & Business Reviews

• Prepare and present weekly, monthly, and quarterly business updates.
• Report on sales, gross margin, inventory health, sell-through, forecast accuracy, and purchasing commitments.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to improve business performance.
• Support annual planning, budgeting, and strategic review processes.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to work from the Canmore or Banff office locations and travel frequently to Pursuit retail locations throughout the operating season.
• 2-4 years of retail buying, merchandising, category management, inventory planning, or related experience.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience managing budgets and inventory investments.
• Experience negotiating with vendors and developing supplier partnerships.
• Ability to analyze sales, inventory, margin, and trend data to drive decision-making.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and business reporting platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in tourism, hospitality, specialty retail, destination retail, giftware, apparel, or lifestyle merchandise.
• Experience with RetailPro, Power BI, or similar retail systems.
• Experience with custom product development and private-label programs.
• Post-secondary education in Business, Retail Management, Merchandising, Supply Chain, or a related field.

About Us:

We're more than a hospitality and attractions company. We connect people to iconic places through unforgettable and inspiring experiences; Our team members included.  

Thoughtfully united by their unique power to inspire and invigorate, our collection of hotels and lodges, recreational attractions, ground transportation services, retail, food and beverage, sightseeing, tours, and travel products are tied together by iconic, destination-worthy locations in Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Reykjavík and Costa Rica.

Pursuit is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PRSU. As a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 index, we specialize in attractions-led hospitality, consistently generating revenue and delivering value to our shareholders.

What will your work environment be like?

At Pursuit, our locations are more than just a place to work – it’s a space where you can bring your whole self, collaborate with talented teams across departments, and build lasting friendships. We believe in fostering an environment where work and play coexist, so whether you’re tackling projects or enjoying our many perks, you’ll feel supported and valued. With a variety of great benefits, we’re committed to ensuring that your time with us is as fulfilling as it is fun.

Our team shares a passion for adventure and an authentic desire to play host to the world. We are united by our connection to the people and places we’re lucky to call home. Our workforce is diverse. Our team members come here to embrace the extraordinary. To watch the sunrise and set each day in a place that, for many people, exists only in their imagination. To build career experience beside seasoned professionals a community of people who say ‘yes’ to adventure time and time again. To be a part of the #PursuitLife and live each day with purpose, turning moments into memories

PURSUIT PERKS

• Join an inclusive, global team and make life-long connections

• Enjoy free access to Pursuit attractions and 50% off for friends

• Get discounts on hotel stays, dining, and retail

• Access subsidized mental health and wellness resources 

Equal Employment Opportunities Information

Pursuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. Pursuit places a high value on diverse backgrounds and experiences, recognizing that they serve as catalysts for creativity and innovation. We encourage individuals who are eligible to work in the country where the role is located to apply and join our inclusive team! We are working to eliminate barriers for applicants and team members from equity-deserving groups. If you can’t apply online or need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our Talent & Acquisition Team at [email protected].  

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, please note that only applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted directly.