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Assistant Merchant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Associate Merchant

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$78K - $88K/yr

Family Dollar Associate Category Merchant Position Summary The Associate Merchant partners with ... actions * Assist in assortment planning, item selection, and pricing strategies for assigned ...

Associate Merchant

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$78K - $88K/yr

Family Dollar Associate Category Merchant Position Summary The Associate Merchant partners with ... actions * Assist in assortment planning, item selection, and pricing strategies for assigned ...

As a Merchandise Assistant Manager at Dollar Tree, you'll join our Store Manager in leading a dynamic team of associates and creating positive experiences for the communities we serve. In this role ...

As a Merchandise Assistant Manager at Dollar Tree, you'll join our Store Manager in leading a dynamic team of associates and creating positive experiences for the communities we serve. In this role ...

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Assistant Merchant information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$21

$35

How much do assistant merchant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant merchant in Virginia is $21.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.36 and $24.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Assistant Merchant vs Buyer?

AspectAssistant MerchantBuyer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related fieldsOften requires similar degrees; experience in purchasing or retail is common
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, collaborating with merchants and suppliersOffice or retail environment, focusing on procurement and inventory decisions
Industry UsageUsed across retail, e-commerce, and wholesale sectorsPrimarily in retail and wholesale industries
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles assisting in merchandisingCompared for roles responsible for buying and inventory management

The Assistant Merchant supports the buying process by assisting senior merchants with product research, vendor communication, and inventory coordination. A Buyer, on the other hand, makes purchasing decisions, negotiates with suppliers, and manages stock levels. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, the Assistant Merchant typically works under supervision, whereas the Buyer has more decision-making authority.

What are Assistant Merchants?

Assistant Merchants are entry-level professionals who support the merchandising team in retail or wholesale companies. They assist with product selection, inventory management, sales analysis, and communication with vendors. Their role is crucial in ensuring the right products are available in stores at the right time and price. Assistant Merchants often collaborate with buyers, planners, and vendors to drive sales and optimize product assortments.

How does an Assistant Merchant typically collaborate with buyers and planners in the merchandising process?

As an Assistant Merchant, you will frequently work alongside buyers and planners to execute product assortments, track sales performance, and ensure inventory levels align with demand. You'll help gather and analyze sales data to support buying decisions, prepare reports, and coordinate with planners to monitor stock levels and replenishments. Effective communication and teamwork are essential since much of your day involves cross-functional collaboration to achieve sales and margin targets while responding to market trends.

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

To thrive as an Assistant Merchant, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a relevant degree in business, merchandising, or a related field. Familiarity with retail management systems, inventory tracking software, and Excel is commonly required. Excellent communication, organization, and adaptability are vital soft skills for collaborating with vendors and cross-functional teams. These abilities help ensure effective product selection, inventory management, and overall support of merchandising strategies for retail success.
What are the most commonly searched types of Merchant jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Merchant jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Merchant jobs in Virginia? For Assistant Merchant jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Merchant jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Merchant jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant Merchant jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant Merchant job openings:
Infographic showing various Assistant Merchant job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,656 per year, or $21.5 per hour.
Associate Merchant

Associate Merchant

Dollartree

Chesapeake, VA • On-site

$78K - $88K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Dollar Tree rating

4.4

Company rating: 4.4 out of 10

Based on 2,461 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

37th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Family Dollar Associate Category Merchant

Position Summary

The Associate Merchant partners with Buyers to develop and execute merchandise strategies that drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity. This role is responsible for supporting assortment planning, vendor management, and business analysis within a specific category or department.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with Buyers to build merchandise assortments and category strategies that meet sales and profitability goals

  • Analyze sales performance, trends, margins, and inventory to identify risks and opportunities

  • Execute financial plans including sales, margin, and inventory targets; monitor variances and recommend actions

  • Assist in assortment planning, item selection, and pricing strategies for assigned categories

  • Support vendor relationships, including negotiations, product selection, and performance evaluation

  • Develop and execute promotional strategies and monitor results

  • Conduct competitive analysis by shopping stores and evaluating market trends

  • Provide insights to support micro-merchandising and localization strategies

  • Partner with cross-functional teams (planning, allocation, replenishment, marketing) to ensure execution

  • Identify replenishment opportunities and manage lifecycle of key items

  • Prepare reports, forecasts, and presentations for leadership

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) preferred

  • 3+ years of merchandising, buying, or retail experience (or 5+ years in combined planning/allocation roles)

  • Strong analytical skills with knowledge of retail math (sales, margin, inventory turns)

  • Experience with assortment planning and merchandising systems

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and retail reporting tools

  • Strong communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills

Core Competencies

  • Merchandising and product trend analysis

  • Financial acumen (sales, margin, inventory management)

  • Strategic thinking and execution

  • Vendor management and negotiation

  • Cross-functional collaboration

  • Customer-focused mindset

Projected Salary: $78,500-$88,500

Family Dollar is anequal opportunity employer and committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and makeall employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We are committed tocomplying withthe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing reasonableaccommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Full time510 Volvo Parkway,Chesapeake,Virginia 23320BuyingFamily Dollar

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About Dollar Tree

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

With Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, we put value front and center for our customers. We do this by providing our customers with quality merchandise, amazing values, convenience, and a fun shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for the thrill of the hunt at Dollar Tree or shopping for your favorite brands at Family Dollar, you’re sure to find savings on a great selection of merchandise in our stores.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chesapeake, VA, US