Description
Merchandise Product Developer and Buyer(Full-Time)
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a 365-entertainment destination for world-class events located in Austin, TX. The sports and entertainment portfolio at COTA is unmatched in the country with Formula 1 US Grand Prix, NASCAR and MotoGP attracting global fans during championship races on the famed Circuit and Live Nation producing over 30 headline concerts every year at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Opening in 2026, COTA’s amusement park, COTALAND, is on over 30-acres featuring two first of their kind Roller Coasters and 30 rides.
Job Description:
The Merchandise Product Developer and Buyer leads the end-to-end merchandise lifecycle for COTALAND— from creative concept through sourcing, production, and delivery. This role blends strategic retail buying with innovative product development, ensuring a brand-right assortment that meets financial goals and elevates the guest experience.
The ideal candidate is both analytical and creative, with strong leadership experience in buying, sourcing, vendor management, and assortment strategy. They will play a critical role in launching and managing COTALANAD brand’s merchandise identity and driving profitability through thoughtful product and financial planning. This is a full-time, on-site role.
Requirements
Requirements & Essential Functions:
Product Development & Assortment Strategy
- Develop and present product lines and seasonal assortments aligned with brand, financial, and guest satisfaction goals.
- Lead concept-to-production development for apparel, accessories, souvenirs, and specialty merchandise.
- Partner with internal design and marketing teams to translate brand identities into commercially viable products.
- Source and negotiate with domestic and international vendors to achieve optimal quality, cost, and delivery timelines.
- Oversee product development timelines, sampling, costing, and compliance to ensure all items meet safety and brand standards.
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, consumer insights, and growth opportunities.
- Implement a balanced assortment strategy
- Develop and manage open-to-buy (OTB) budgets and inventory plans to maximize sales, gross margin, and inventory turnover.
Buying, Financial & Inventory Management
- Develop and execute strategic buying plans and merchandise strategies aligned with financial objectives.
- Forecast demand using sales data, consumer trends, and historical performance to guide purchasing decisions.
- Monitor inventory levels to prevent overstock/stockouts and manage replenishment and markdown strategies.
- Track and report financial performance against OTB budgets, highlighting opportunities and risks.
- Maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure quality, innovation, and on-time delivery.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead and mentor cross-functional teams including design, brand, legal, and operations to ensure cohesive execution of merchandising strategies.
- Foster a performance-driven, collaborative culture through clear communication, accountability, and professional development.
- Provide training, feedback, and career development opportunities for team members.
- Drive a culture of innovation, agility, and excellence—encouraging “test and learn” approaches to product launches and merchandising.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal skills; can effectively communicate and relate to all levels within and outside the organization; create and build positive and productive relationships.
- Hires outstanding candidates; has sound judgment in identifying strengths and weaknesses of others.
- Drives the team and the organization for results in order to improve bottom line performance; able to make timely or planned decisions appropriate to the circumstances or situation.
- Ability to make tough decisions, gains input from others and moves decisions forward in the organization.
- Responds quickly and effectively to changing trends and circumstances; embraces change and welcomes fresh perspectives; learns from past mistakes and adjusts accordingly.
- Ability to manage appropriate steps to get projects completed; has strong abilities to organize people and processes; can create a plan for resourceful workflow.
- Can be trusted to act in a manner that is truthful and values direct, honest communication at all levels of the organization.
Physical Demand & Work Environments:
- Ability to stand, sit, use of hands to handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to squat, bend, twist, push/pull.
- Ability to stand/walk for long periods.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud during events.
Salary commensurate with experience
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
COTA strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
