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Assistant Buyer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Hot Topic & BoxLunch

Associate Buyer

City Of Industry, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

You'll support the Buyer in developing compelling seasonal assortments that bring pop culture to ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Hot Topic & BoxLunch

Associate Buyer

City Of Industry, CA · Hybrid

$70K - $75K/yr

You'll support the Buyer in developing compelling seasonal assortments that bring pop culture to ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

Nura

Buyer I

Irvine, CA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

... * Assist purchasing manager in negotiating prices, timelines, and other terms, and complete ... Proven experience of 2 years as a Purchasing Assistant, Buyer, or similar role is preferred.

Nura

Buyer I

Irvine, CA · On-site

... * Assist purchasing manager in negotiating prices, timelines, and other terms, and complete ... Proven experience of 2 years as a Purchasing Assistant, Buyer, or similar role is preferred.

Nura

Buyer I

Irvine, CA · On-site

... * Assist purchasing manager in negotiating prices, timelines, and other terms, and complete ... Proven experience of 2 years as a Purchasing Assistant, Buyer, or similar role is preferred.

RE Marketing

Be Seen First

Escrow Assistant

Irvine, CA · On-site

$3.5K - $4.2K/mo

Prepare opening packages and assist buyer and sellers with any questions * Review of returned escrow packages for completeness * Package loan documents for funding and recording * Maintain organized ...

Employnet Inc

Buyer Administrator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

The Buyer Administrator will play a key role in maintaining procurement data accuracy, coordinating ... Indirect Purchasing Support * Assist with indirect purchasing activities for facility and ...

Jetro / Restaurant Depot

Buyer - Seafood

Anaheim, CA

$75K - $95K/yr

Seafood Buyer Department: Procurement Reports To: Category Manager or Director of Purchasing ... Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, and lead times * Assist in negotiating ...

Jetro Restaurant Depot

Buyer - Meat

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Meat Buyer Department: Procurement Reports To: Category Manager or Director of Purchasing ... Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, and lead times * Assist in negotiating ...

Jetro Restaurant Depot

Buyer - Seafood

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Seafood Buyer Department: Procurement Reports To: Category Manager or Director of Purchasing ... Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, and lead times * Assist in negotiating ...

Jetro / Restaurant Depot

Buyer - Meat

Anaheim, CA

$75K - $95K/yr

Meat Buyer Department: Procurement Reports To: Category Manager or Director of Purchasing ... Communicate with vendors regarding pricing, availability, and lead times * Assist in negotiating ...

Konnect Resources, LLC

Senior Buyer

Placentia, CA · On-site

$78K - $105K/yr

Support forecasting and demand planning in coordination with Sales and Operations * Assist in workload balancing and provide guidance, training, and mentorship to junior Buyers * Drive supplier ...

Area51 Electronics

Buyer

Irvine, CA

We are looking for a passionate Buyer who understands the crucial role they play in our company and ... No Disapproved International Vendors * Assist with obtaining Schedule B/ECCN # for export ...

Area51 Electronics

Buyer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

We are looking for a passionate Buyer who understands the crucial role they play in our company and ... No Disapproved International Vendors * Assist with obtaining Schedule B/ECCN # for export ...

NextDeavor Inc.

Buyer Administrator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

Buyer Administrator Full-time Irvine, CA, US Exclusive confidential search -- details shared with qualified applicants. Benefits You'll Love NextDeavor offers health, vision and dental benefits for ...

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All JobsBuyer JobsAssistant Buyer JobsAssistant Buyer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Assistant Buyer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$13

$24

$34

How much do assistant buyer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant buyer in Riverside, CA is $24.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.05 and $26.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Assistant Buyers?

Assistant Buyers are entry-level professionals in the retail and merchandising industry who support Buyers in selecting, ordering, and managing inventory for stores or brands. Their responsibilities often include conducting market research, analyzing sales trends, communicating with suppliers, and handling administrative tasks to ensure the buying process runs smoothly. Assistant Buyers play a crucial role in helping organizations meet sales goals by ensuring the right products are available at the right time. They typically work closely with other departments such as marketing and logistics.

What Does an Assistant Buyer Do?

An assistant buyer supports the buyer and coordinates purchasing and service orders to maintain supplies of products, food, equipment, and other materials. Depending on the industry, your responsibilities may include establishing accounts with outside vendors, negotiating price and scheduling, and maintaining detailed documentation of all purchases. Assistant buyers research and secure products and services to sustain smooth daily operations, so communicating with teams and supporting departments, as well as outside vendors and suppliers, is crucial. Coordinating deliveries and tracking inventory are common duties for assistant buyers.

What is the role of a buyers assistant?

A buyer's assistant supports the purchasing team by researching products, managing supplier communications, and maintaining inventory records. They often use tools like spreadsheets and inventory management software and may assist in negotiating prices or tracking orders to ensure timely procurement.

What is the difference between Assistant Buyer vs Purchasing Coordinator?

AspectAssistant BuyerPurchasing Coordinator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles prefer associate or bachelor’s degreeHigh school diploma; some roles may prefer associate degree or relevant experience
Work EnvironmentRetail, manufacturing, or wholesale companies; office settingOffice environment; often in retail or corporate procurement departments
Job FocusAssisting in selecting and purchasing products; supporting buyersCoordinating purchase orders, tracking deliveries, and maintaining records
Common UsageUsed in retail, fashion, and wholesale industriesCommon in retail, manufacturing, and corporate procurement

The main difference between an Assistant Buyer and a Purchasing Coordinator lies in their focus. Assistant Buyers assist in selecting products and supporting purchasing decisions, while Purchasing Coordinators handle order processing, tracking, and record-keeping. Both roles are essential in procurement processes but serve different functions within the supply chain.

How much does an assistant buyer get paid?

An assistant buyer typically earns between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those in larger companies can earn higher salaries. They often work in retail, manufacturing, or wholesale environments and may require familiarity with inventory management and purchasing software.

What are some common challenges an Assistant Buyer may face when managing supplier relationships?

Assistant Buyers often encounter challenges like coordinating timelines with suppliers, managing fluctuating inventory levels, and ensuring product quality standards are met. They must balance cost negotiations while maintaining positive supplier relationships and adapting quickly to changes in market demand or supply chain disruptions. Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills are essential to navigate these challenges effectively and support the buying team’s objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Buyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Buyer, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a relevant degree in business, merchandising, or a related field. Familiarity with inventory management systems, Excel, and purchasing software is typically required, along with knowledge of supply chain processes. Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills help you build effective vendor relationships and manage multiple tasks efficiently. These skills are crucial for making data-driven buying decisions, maintaining optimal inventory levels, and supporting the overall profitability of the business.

What does an assistant buyer do?

An assistant buyer supports the purchasing process by researching products, analyzing sales data, and coordinating with suppliers. They help ensure inventory levels meet demand and often use tools like spreadsheets and inventory management software. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for this role.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

An Assistant Buyer can potentially earn around $10,000 per month with experience and strong negotiation skills, especially in large retail or manufacturing companies. Success in this role often depends on industry knowledge, vendor relationships, and the ability to analyze market trends, with some positions offering high compensation without requiring a college degree.
More about Assistant Buyer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Buyer jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Buyer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Buyer jobs in Riverside, CA? For Assistant Buyer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Buyer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Buyer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Assistant Buyer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Assistant Buyer job openings:
Assistant Buyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Buyer job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,316 per year, or $24.7 per hour.
Assistant Buyer (Beauty, Bath & Personal Care)

Assistant Buyer (Beauty, Bath & Personal Care)

iHerb

Irvine, CA

$21.50 - $28.50/hr

Other

Posted 19 days ago

iHerb rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Summary:

The Assistant Buyer is responsible for collaborating with their category team on evaluating, curating, promoting and growing the brands/products in their assigned category and ensuring a strong vendor partnership. In addition, the Assistant Buyer position partners with Buyers in sourcing and onboarding new suppliers and products relevant to category, trend, and team objectives. This role is the first step in the progression of the Merchandising Team buying structure; and is responsible for making merchandising decisions for low/mid volume accounts in addition to supporting category teams.

Job Expectations: 

  • Collaborate and work closely with Buyers, Managers and team to ensure all are aligned on business strategies, short and long-term growth objectives.
  • Collaborate with Buyers to build, edit and maintain assortment to create market advantage while reflecting customer needs/requests
  • Negotiate with vendors to secure exceptional everyday pricing, marketing & promotional budgets, special opportunity buys, growth incentives including rebates and accruals, delivery, and payment terms for low/mid volume accounts
  • Facilitate relationships with low/mid volume existing/new vendors to drive sales, product innovation, margin growth, promotional support and maintain regular and consistent communication to ensure a clear understanding of short/long-term goals and capabilities
  • Coordinate with the buyers on negotiation of contracts, product evaluation, quality issues, customer service questions and create and maintain supplier, product database
  • Drive the new product/brand onboarding and maintenance process to ensure timely addition to market
  • Update and maintain cost, pricing, and product adjustments in system to ensure desired mark-ups, margin
  • Coordinate with Inventory Management and Planning Team in managing inventory turns, service level, order cycles, deal implementation and general supply chain practices
  • Collaborate with Buyers to support promotional co-op activities that are profitable and highly effective in conjunction with Marketing
  • Create, review and utilize reports to enable in-depth analysis of category successes/challenges
  • Provide support to Category Managers and other Buyers on projects and day-to-day activities
  • Comply with company policies and procedures, including safety, business ethics, and standards of conduct

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

   Required:      

  • Developing negotiating skills
  • Developing analytical, data management, and decision-making abilities
  • Strong mathematical skills with an understanding of retail pricing concepts
  • Ability to communicate professionally with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts
  • Great attention to detail, highly organized with strong project management skills 
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks, problem solve, and prioritize with awareness of importance and deadlines

Equipment Knowledge:

  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Experience with Google Business Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) preferred
  • WMS, EDI, SAP, Asana, Tableau experience a plus

Experience Requirements:

Generally, requires a minimum of two (2) years of progressive experience in buying or directly related role with equivalent responsibilities, preferably in an e-commerce environment with Supplements, Beauty/Personal Care, or Natural Products experience a plus.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Merchandising or related field preferred, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.

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