Overview
Mana Up is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Retail Buyer & Planner to lead the end-to-end buying process and merchandise planning for our growing retail footprint—including House of Mana Up physical locations, our e-commerce store, and pop-up or wholesale channels. This role is critical to ensuring we deliver a compelling assortment of locally made products that resonate with customers, achieve financial goals, and support Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs.
This is an opportunity to shape the customer experience while building a high-impact product strategy that advances local economic growth and sustainable commerce.
About Mana Up
Mana Up is a Hawaiʻi-based economic development initiative dedicated to scaling local product businesses globally. Through our six-month accelerator and vibrant alumni program, we provide entrepreneurs with access to executive mentorship, market expansion strategies, resources, and a supportive community.
House of Mana Up is our award-winning retail platform featuring premium local brands and products that tell the stories of Hawaiʻi’s makers and artisans. Many of the brands we support have received national recognition for innovation, cultural storytelling, and product excellence.
By growing local brands, we’re building a more diverse, resilient economy that reflects the spirit and values of Hawaiʻi.
What You’ll Do
You’ll own the lifecycle of retail inventory—from product selection and vendor relationships to forecasting, buying, allocation, and merchandise performance analysis. You’ll work closely with our Store, Marketing, and Fulfillment teams to deliver an elevated customer experience while supporting local entrepreneurs and maximizing business results.
Key Responsibilities
Product Strategy & Assortment Planning
- Develop seasonal merchandise strategies that align with brand goals, store performance, customer insights, and trend analysis.
- Curate a thoughtful assortment that highlights Hawaiʻi-based brands, with a focus on innovation, quality, and storytelling.
- Collaborate with local vendors and emerging entrepreneurs to co-create or evolve exclusive products or limited-run collections.
Inventory Management & Forecasting
- Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning, purchase orders, and vendor timelines to ensure on-time delivery and optimal stock levels.
- Conduct regular inventory performance analysis to identify bestsellers, underperformers, and opportunities for inventory reallocation.
- Maintain inventory integrity and collaborate with the Operations and Fulfillment teams on cycle counts, shrinkage, and data accuracy.
Vendor Relationships
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with vendors and local entrepreneurs.
- Provide feedback to help vendors improve product performance and readiness for retail.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and exclusive offerings.
Sales Enablement & Merchandising
- Partner with Store Managers to ensure products are presented in compelling, customer-first ways.
- Train retail staff on new product stories and benefits to support customer education and upselling.
- Collaborate on promotions, events, and seasonal merchandising themes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with e-commerce, marketing, and creative teams to ensure alignment across all customer touchpoints.
- Share insights from product performance to inform marketing campaigns and storytelling.
Building Systems & Processes
- As a growing company, we’re constantly building and improving our internal systems—and we see this as a key part of every team member’s role. You won’t just execute processes; you’ll help create them. As the Retail Buyer & Planner, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how we operate by:
- Developing and refining workflows for buying, planning, and inventory management to improve efficiency and clarity.
- Creating and maintaining clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support training, consistency, and scalability.
- Collaborating cross-functionally to ensure our retail systems integrate smoothly with fulfillment, sales, finance, and marketing.
- Identifying bottlenecks and proposing practical, scalable solutions that align with our stage of growth and resources.
- Contributing to the development and optimization of software tools and reporting systems.
Who You Are
You’re both analytical and creative—a skilled buyer who understands the numbers, but also sees the big picture. You love discovering emerging products, collaborating with makers, and bringing powerful stories to life through thoughtful curation. You thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy juggling long-term planning with real-time problem-solving.
Qualifications
Required:
- 2+ years experience in buying, inventory planning, or merchandise management, preferably in consumer goods or specialty retail
- Strong analytical skills with proven experience in forecasting, demand planning, or margin optimization
- Exceptional organizational and time management abilities
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Experience working with inventory management systems (e.g., Shopify, Retail POS, ERP systems)
- Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Slack, and other collaboration tools
- Must be based in Honolulu or willing to relocate; hybrid schedule with in-store and remote flexibility
- Ability to work occasional nights, weekends, and holidays based on retail and vendor needs.
- Off island travel up to 4 weeks annually
Bonus:
- Passion for supporting local businesses, storytelling, and community-centered commerce
- Familiarity with Hawaiʻi-based brands or regional product trends
- Experience in product development, exclusives, or private label buying
Why Join Mana Up
- Work with a mission-driven team focused on meaningful local impact
- Help shape Hawaiʻi’s next generation of consumer brands
- Enjoy a dynamic, collaborative, and growth-oriented work environment
- Employee discounts at House of Mana Up
Competitive salary and benefits package
