Assistant Buyer, Liquor & Tobacco

Under the direction of the Buyer, the Assistant Buyer plays a key role in driving category performance through strategic vendor management, onboard event execution, and data-driven analysis. This position supports a small portfolio of programs and is responsible for developing merchant skills while actively contributing to the success of promotions, activations, and guest-facing retail experiences. They will work to meet or exceed financial targets for area of responsibility through consistent analysis of business performance, category trends, and data-based insights.

The ideal candidate is passionate about retail innovation, thrives in dynamic environments, and is eager to spend time onboard ships to support training, merchandising, and event execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Priorities:

• Execute the strategic vision set by the Merchandise Manager across multiple cruise line profiles (Budget, Moderate, Upscale, Luxury). Participate in the strategic planning process, consistently evolving tactics based on emerging trends, market updates, and white space opportunities
• Collaborate with the merchant team to develop guest-centric retail experiences tailored to cruise line demographics and itineraries
• Maintain competitive market awareness across domestic and travel retail channels
• Participate in vendor negotiations to secure optimal pricing, terms, and markdowns
• Regularly review category, vendor, and ship performance with the Buyer to identify opportunities and adjust strategies

Assortment Planning:

• Support the Merchandise Manager in developing relevant, profitable assortments driven by consumer trends, cruise line demographics, and data
• Responsible for initial assortment selection, maintaining assortments based on current sales trends, and effectively communicating assortments to planning
• Manage assortment mix to drive sales in key items, exclusives, and novelty items. Ensure strategy and assortment execution align with constantly changing guest demands through consistent and rigorous analysis of SKU level performance and maintaining relevancy with consumer trends
• Acquire skills to create a compelling pricing strategy that delivers a competitive price advantage and savings to consumer
• Optimize SKU count within each classification of business to ensure the appropriate breadth & depth in each item based on ship profile and volume
• Work with brands on exclusive product and First at Sea assortment opportunities to provide points of competitive differentiation
• Prepare for and conduct vendor meetings in partnership with Merchandise Manager

Onboard Event Execution & Support:

• Partner with cruise line teams to execute onboard retail activations, tastings, and promotional events
• Conduct frequent day trips to ships to support merchandising, team training, and event setup
• Ensure flawless execution of promotions and activations, including premium brand showcases and exclusive product launches
• Gather feedback and insights from onboard teams and guests to inform future strategies

Assortment Planning:

• Support the development of relevant, profitable assortments based on consumer trends and cruise line demographics
• Manage SKU-level performance and maintain assortment relevance through ongoing analysis
• Collaborate with brands on exclusive and First-at-Sea product opportunities
• Communicate assortment strategies clearly to planning and onboard teams

Financial Management:

• Partner with planning to meet sales, margin, and inventory goals
• Analyze performance by ship, category, and brand to identify growth opportunities
• Manage inventory flow through markdowns, SKU optimization, and planned product life cycles
• Present monthly performance overviews and forward-looking strategies to leadership

Interpersonal Management:

• Build a reputation as a positive contributing force within Starboard in all interrelations and communication
• Acquire knowledge from departments within the organization to gain an exceptional understanding of Starboard processes and key business partners
• Leverage interpersonal relationships to achieve departmental goals
• Driving partnership across merch teams

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• 4- 6 Years of Experience
• Associates Degree Required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Novice understanding of retail math and business acumen
• Creative and innovative with a passion for trends. Stays current on market and industry trends through competitive shopping and related
  industry publications.
• Self-motivated and willing to take accountability for business performance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to develop relationships; strong collaboration skills needed
• Ability to set priorities, use time effectively and manage multiple priorities; detail oriented

Decision Making: 

• Duties and activities reviewed periodically. Supervisor monitors work progress and determines actions on unusual items. Moderate level of problem solving ability.

Travel Requirements:

• Less than 10% of time (Periodic travel to local ships)

Key Competencies:

• Customer Service
• Relationship Management
• Business Acumen
• Drive for Results
• Self-Development
• Courage
• Problem Solving
• Communicating Effectively
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Managing Conflict
• Motivating Others
• Adaptability

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Some flexibility in hours is permitted, employee must be available during the “core” work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and must work 30 hours each week to maintain full-time status. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Physical Demands:
Office environment with frequent sitting, walking and standing, occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and balancing. Frequent use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling use of office machinery. This position requires the ability to
occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Oral and auditory enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication automated devise such as the telephone.

At Starboard Cruise Services and Onboard Media curating a vibrant world can only be accomplished by vibrant and diverse teams. We are committed to nurturing a workplace where you can feel safe to show up authentically and thrive while being uniquely you. Our North Star guides us to deliver equal employment opportunities for all individuals and to providing employees with an equitable work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We also aim to extend this commitment to the partners we work with and the guests we serve. We are constantly listening, learning, and evolving to deliver on these promises.

We believe our differences make us stronger and are curious to see you leverage your lived experiences to strengthen our team, our culture and your career. At Starboard Cruise Services and Onboard Media we take action so that no one is discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability (physical, mental or sensory), ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, genetic information, family care status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. All employment decisions will be made based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications.

So come onboard with us and celebrate a culture that attracts top talent with shared values and forms the foundation for a great place to work.