Retail Buyer

Our Story:

Story Cannabis was built by misfits on a mission — people bold enough to shift the cannabis narrative and create something better. Founded in 2021 by industry veterans, Story is a vertically integrated company headquartered in Phoenix, operating across Arizona, Maryland, Ohio, and Louisiana, and we’re just getting started.

Our vision is to bring hope, happiness, and healing to the world through cannabis, and we’re doing it one state, one store, and one customer at a time.

Leadership defines how we show up. Data drives how we grow. Gratitude keeps us grounded. Unity fuels our momentum. And growth, in every sense, inspires everything we do.

If you’re ready to challenge what’s expected and shape the future of cannabis, your next chapter starts with Story.

Overview:

The Retail Buyer is responsible for procuring 3rd party products for our retail locations across Maryland. This includes building and maintaining vendor relationships, understanding product demand trends and working closely with retail teams to make sure store specific product needs are met for both normal and promotional sales.

Responsibilities:

• Build excellent vendor relations across all three markets.
• Proactively build excellent internal relations with retail inventory and store managers with an attitude of positivity and customer service.
• Manage all communication between vendors and accounts payable.
• Purchasing of all 3rd party goods.
• Analyzing store menus to find product gaps and submit purchase orders to vendors.
• Negotiate promotional support and up-front discounts.
• Tracking all vendor promotional credits.
• Work side by side with the retail inventory planner to ensure healthy stock levels and ordering cadence.
• Monitor 3rd party inventory levels for emergency orders and health against promotional plans and sales velocity.
• Establish order quantities based on company order guides.
• Contribute to internal company meetings related to inventory menus and quantity / price and cost planning.
• Host weekly meetings with store managers to review inventory plans, menu and health of inventory levels as well as processes related to inventory receiving and storage.
• Visit stores at least once per month to walk through inventory display and storage practices to optimize flow of inventory into the store and display of inventory on the floor.
• Sends weekly recap emails to store management outlining plans between retail and procurement.
• Reviews inventory for upcoming promotions or new products being added to menu and work with retail, marketing and supply chain teams to establish order quantities and pricing.
• Evaluate pricing and menus at competing locations to make recommendations to purchasing strategy.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Minimum High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent required.
• 3+ years of experience in cannabis retail management or procurement role.
• 5+ years of supply chain experience specifically in procurement or inventory planning.
• Must have detailed understanding of cannabis product brands, categories and types.
• Experience with METRC and Dutchie.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage high stress situations and to be flexible and adaptable when required.
• Self-motivated with the ability to multi-task.

Physical Requirements: 

• This role requires prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Our Benefits:

• Paid time off (PTO) including 8 paid holidays per year*
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*
• 401k retirement savings plan*
• Company paid Short-Term & Long-Term disability*
• Company paid Life Insurance*
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee referral program
• Commuter benefits*
• Product discounts
• Additional compensation incentives (tips, bonuses, etc.)

*For full-time positions only

We want our story to be one that fosters an inclusive culture and provides an enriching employee experience. As an equal-opportunity employer, we embrace individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all individuals, including those who may have encountered legal issues related to previous marijuana laws. We understand that these laws have disproportionately impacted certain communities and individuals. We are committed to considering all candidates based on their qualifications, skills, and potential to contribute to our team, rather than focusing solely on past legal encounters. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with past involvement with the legal system, to apply for positions within our organization.