Buyer for Feed, Tack & Animal Health - Headquarters

Big R is seeking an experienced, result-driven Feed Buyer to manage and grow the feed category across our 37 retail locations. This position is responsible for developing the right product assortment, maintaining strong in-stock levels, managing vendor relationships, improving inventory productivity, and driving sales and profitability.

The ideal candidate understands the demand of feed within retail, including seasonality, regional livestock needs, freight sensitivity, inventory freshness, and the importance of maintaining dependable product availability for our customers.

• $80,000-$90,000 Annual Salary (wage based on experience).

• This is not a remote position; all work is done from Big R’s headquarters in Pueblo, CO

Responsibilities:

• Manage the overall feed category, including cattle, horse, poultry, swine, sheep and goat, wildlife, show feed, minerals, supplements, blocks, tubs, and other livestock nutrition products.
• Develop and maintain product assortments based on customer demand, regional livestock needs, store size, seasonality, and market trends.
• Negotiate vendor pricing, freight, rebates, promotional funding, dating, volume programs, and other purchasing terms.
• Build strong relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and vendor partners.
• Monitor sales, gross margin, inventory levels, inventory turns, GMROI, sell-through, aged inventory, and in-stock performance.
• Develop purchase plans, forecasts, seasonal builds, and open-to-buy strategies.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing overstock, discontinued product, damaged product, and short-dated inventory.
• Establish and review reorder points, minimum and maximum inventory levels, pallet quantities, and safety stock.
• Work closely with stores, distribution, logistics, and transportation teams to maintain efficient product flow.
• Develop competitive retail pricing strategies while protecting gross margin and overall category profitability.
• Evaluate new products, brands, package sizes, and private-label opportunities.
• Plan and execute promotional programs, pallet displays, seasonal events, advertising opportunities, and vendor-funded promotions.
• Partner with marketing and merchandising teams to ensure effective product placement and promotional execution.
• Regularly review store-level performance and adjust assortments based on local customer needs and sales productivity.
• Identify underperforming SKUs and develop strategies to improve performance, transfer inventory, mark down product, or discontinue items.
• Monitor product freshness, manufacturing dates, recalls, damaged bags, quality concerns, and inventory rotation.
• Stay informed on livestock trends, commodity markets, weather conditions, drought, hay availability, and other factors affecting feed demand.
• Gather feedback from stores regarding customer requests, out-of-stocks, competitive activity, and assortment opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable feed labeling, registration, storage, and regulatory requirements.