ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Assistant Merchandise Buyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ANAKEESTA

Retail Assistant Buyer

Gatlinburg, TN · On-site

Responsibilities Merchandise Buying & Assortment Planning • Support the Retail Buyer in ... Assist with guest product inquiries and return requests as needed. What You Need • Bachelor ...

Citi Trends

Assistant Buyer

Manhattan, NY

$22 - $29.25/hr

CITITRENDS is seeking a Merchandise Assistant Buyer who will be responsible for supporting the Buying team in all aspects of merchandise procurement and inventory management. This role is critical in ...

Citi Trends

Assistant Buyer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$22 - $29.25/hr

CITITRENDS is seeking a Merchandise Assistant Buyer who will be responsible for supporting the Buying team in all aspects of merchandise procurement and inventory management. This role is critical in ...

Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc.

Buyer

Bronx, NY · On-site

The Produce Buyer supports the operational core of produce merchandising, focused heavily on ... to assist Merchant III in supplier reviews and sourcing work. Digital Shelf Accuracy & Item ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsBusiness JobsProcurement JobsPurchasing Specialist JobsAssistant Merchandise Buyer Jobs

Assistant Merchandise Buyer information

See salary details

$13

$23

$33

How much do assistant merchandise buyer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant merchandise buyer in the United States is $23.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant merchandise buyer do?

An Assistant Merchandise Buyer helps support the buying team by researching market trends, communicating with vendors, assisting in selecting products, and managing purchase orders. They analyze sales data, monitor inventory levels, and help ensure that merchandise aligns with customer preferences and company goals. Their role is crucial in maintaining stock levels, negotiating prices, and supporting the overall merchandising strategy. This position is often a stepping stone to becoming a full Merchandise Buyer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant merchandise buyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Merchandise Buyer, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a background in business, retail, or merchandising—often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with inventory management systems, Microsoft Excel, and retail analytics tools is typically required. Effective communication, negotiation abilities, and adaptability help you build relationships with vendors and respond to market trends. These skills ensure efficient product selection, cost-effective purchasing, and alignment of merchandise with customer demand.

What are some common challenges an assistant merchandise buyer faces when balancing vendor relationships and internal requirements?

Assistant Merchandise Buyers often navigate the challenge of balancing vendor negotiations with the specific needs and guidelines set by their company. This can include managing tight deadlines, aligning vendor offerings with budget constraints, and ensuring that product selections meet both sales objectives and merchandising strategies. Effective communication and organizational skills are essential, as the role requires collaborating closely with vendors, the buying team, and various internal departments. Overcoming these challenges helps build strong vendor partnerships and contributes to successful merchandise planning.

What is the difference between Assistant Merchandise Buyer vs Merchandise Planner?

AspectAssistant Merchandise BuyerMerchandise Planner
ResponsibilitiesSupports buying decisions, assists in selecting products, manages inventory levelsForecasts sales, plans inventory, analyzes sales data to optimize stock levels
Required SkillsKnowledge of products, vendor relations, basic merchandisingData analysis, forecasting, inventory management
Work EnvironmentRetail or wholesale buying teams, in-store or office settingsRetail planning departments, office settings
Common UsageAssisting senior buyers, entry-level support rolesStrategic inventory management, sales forecasting

While both roles support retail operations, the Assistant Merchandise Buyer focuses on supporting buying decisions and vendor relations, whereas the Merchandise Planner emphasizes sales forecasting and inventory planning to meet demand.

What cities are hiring for Assistant Merchandise Buyer jobs?

Cities with the most Assistant Merchandise Buyer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Merchandise Buyer jobs?

The most popular types of Merchandise Buyer jobs are:

What states have the most Assistant Merchandise Buyer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Assistant Merchandise Buyer jobs include:

Assistant Merchandise Buyer jobs near you

Assistant Merchandising Program Manager

Emery Jensen Distribution, LLC

Oak Brook, IL

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

We have 2 openings for Assistant Merchandising Program Managers!

The Job

As the Assistant Merchandising Program Manager, you are responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, including but not limited to category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU on-boarding and maintenance and special projects as assigned. 

The position is designed as a support role, as well as development step in all aspects of the buying department to prepare a candidate for full category responsibility as an Associate MPM in 2 – 3 years.

The Assistant MPM:

  • Executes the current year plan that has been laid out by the MPM.
  • Responsible for all aspects of support for a product category.
  • Owns some portions team responsibilities and projects, including category reviews, promotional planning processes, show preparation, retailer communication, SKU onboarding and maintenance, and special projects as assigned.
  • Expected to consider sales team impacts of all decisions.

What you will do…

Category Review Support

  • Support MPM in all phases of category review process
  • Request and prepare all category analytics
  • Participate in all aspects of vendor meeting prep, meetings, item selection, plan-o-gram build, marketing and execution to retailers

Promotional Planning Support

  • Support in organizing and securing all vendor promotional discounts
  • Assist in solicitation of monthly promotional items from vendors

Retailer Communication

  • Support with daily retailer customer service
  • Assist with communication via EJD Portal & M.A.S.T. to relay new programs, changes, or issues
  • Assist with EJD Customer Care for calls and e-mails related to respective category

Convention Planning Support

  • Assist in selecting and inviting vendors to attend semi-annual convention
  • Lead prep of show materials including drop ship forms, as well as submission for Power Buys, Saving Showcase and New Arrivals
  • Assist in planning Merch area theme and execution for respective category

Inventory/Supply Chain Support

  • Assist in diagnosing and resolving vendor service issues
  • Assist in inventory planning for promotional items

Systems Support

  • Lead SKU on-boarding for department with respective merchandising SYSTEMS coordinator
  • Lead processing of channel and customer price changes with EJD Pricing Team
  • Lead all item master data changes with article content team

Special Projects

  • Lead department and cross-functional projects as assigned by Director and MPM

What you need to succeed…

  • 2+ years of business experience
  • Retail experience preferred
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Understand financial measures that impacts corporation
  • Demonstrate strong decision-making skills
  • Passion for people and hardware industry: understanding of EJD customers, channels, and opportunity by geography and commitment to and interest in team member development
  • Detail-oriented and extremely organized self-starter able to thrive is a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, solve problems and meet deadlines.
  • Proactive and has the desire to succeed.
  • Proven ability to work autonomously and accomplish objectives
  • Highly creative, flexible and adaptable with good follow-through
  • Proven ability to multi-task projects and meet deadlines
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills 
  • Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point,
  • Knowledge of PCM, SAP and guided Ad-hoc reporting tools

Apply