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Associate Merchandise Buyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ALO

Associate Merchandise Planner

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

As an Associate Planner, you'll assist with reporting, forecasting, and inventory analysis to help ... Partner with the buying, allocation, and merchandising teams to align on key strategies and ...

ALO

Associate Merchandise Planner

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

As an Associate Planner, you'll assist with reporting, forecasting, and inventory analysis to help ... Partner with the buying, allocation, and merchandising teams to align on key strategies and ...

Claire's

Associate Merchandise Planner

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Description General Summary The Associate Planner is responsible for assisting the Planning team in ... Working closely with the Buying department and their assigned merchandising team, the core areas of ...

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How much do associate merchandise buyer jobs pay per month?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average monthly pay for associate merchandise buyer in the United States is $3,750.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $2,833.33 and $4,666.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does an Associate Merchandise Buyer typically collaborate with other departments within a retail organization?

As an Associate Merchandise Buyer, you will regularly partner with teams such as planning, marketing, and inventory management. Your role involves close communication with planners to monitor stock levels and sales trends, and with marketing to coordinate product launches and promotional strategies. Collaboration with vendors and the visual merchandising team is also common to ensure products are delivered on time and displayed effectively. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for achieving sales goals and maintaining a cohesive brand experience.

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

To thrive as an Associate Merchandise Buyer, you need strong analytical skills, knowledge of retail math, and a bachelor's degree in business, merchandising, or a related field. Experience with inventory management systems, Excel, and retail analytics platforms like SAP or Oracle is typically required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and organizational skills help you build supplier relationships and manage multiple tasks. These abilities are crucial for making informed purchasing decisions that optimize inventory, drive sales, and meet customer demand.

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

AspectAssociate Merchandise BuyerMerchandise Planner
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related fieldSimilar educational background, often with additional training in inventory management
Work EnvironmentRetail or wholesale companies, working closely with vendors and sales teamsRetail companies, focusing on sales forecasting and inventory optimization
Primary ResponsibilitiesAssisting in selecting products, negotiating with suppliers, and supporting buying decisionsPlanning sales, inventory levels, and product distribution to meet targets

While both roles support retail operations, the Associate Merchandise Buyer focuses on product selection and vendor relations, whereas the Merchandise Planner emphasizes sales forecasting and inventory management. Both positions require similar educational backgrounds and work in retail environments, but their core functions differ to support different aspects of merchandise management.

What does an Associate Merchandise Buyer do?

An Associate Merchandise Buyer assists in selecting and purchasing products for retail stores based on market trends, customer preferences, and inventory needs. They work closely with senior buyers to analyze sales data, negotiate with suppliers, and ensure that the right mix of merchandise is available. Additionally, they help with tracking orders, managing inventory levels, and supporting merchandising strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
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Associate Merchandise Buyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Merchandise Buyer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 92% Full Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,002 per year, or $21.6 per hour.
Merchandise Buyer- Sourcing

Merchandise Buyer- Sourcing

Helzberg Diamonds

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Helzberg Diamonds rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 28 rated jewelry retailers

Job description


THE DEPARTMENT:
The Merchandise Department supports the Product needs of Helzberg Diamonds by building powerful assortments, wide-ranging price points, bridal dominance, competitive quality and value across multiple fine jewelry categories and time pieces. The Merchandise team is responsible for identifying products that will sell, negotiating vendor contracts, and analyzing sales data to make sound purchasing decisions as well as searching globally for unique trends and hot selling jewelry products. The department has a significant impact on profitability by closely managing gross margin and inventory turns as well as asset/memo mix. Merchandise is an active partner with the Store Operations group and Marketing in driving Helzberg's business.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This buyer role will concentrate on loose, call and strategic sourcing for the merchandise team. This role will develop and maintain merchandise assortments for assigned categories that will achieve budgeted sales and margin plans while adhering to specific inventory levels and budgets and meeting product quality standards. Serve as the internal supplier of loose diamonds as needed for product manufactured by Helzberg and assist the merchandising team with quality standards for all diamond product, including lab grown. Ensure competitive pricing for Helzberg's sourcing of diamonds, gemstones and metals. The incumbent must have highly developed relationship building skills to build and maintain effective relationships with external merchandise vendors to achieve merchandising strategies.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
  1. Develop and implement merchandise assortments and projects for loose stones and call stones to meet objectives for all distribution channels. Understand competitive landscape; stay attuned to changing market dynamics and logistics.
  2. Conduct cost analysis on all diamond product, and other basic jewelry categories, to reduce overlap between channels, procurement costs and / or improve gross margin. Deliver year over year cost reductions through a total cost of ownership mindset.
  3. Be the primary contact and subject matter expert for our diamond certification partners, external laboratories and other supply chain relationships. Improve process and efficiencies with these vendors.
  4. Develop and manage partnerships with vendors, including negotiating favorable terms and sourcing to ensure all product meets the company's merchandising and financial objectives. Work with vendors to resolve issues.
  5. Evaluate vendor performance and make recommendations to merchandise on how to meet business needs.
  6. In conjunction with merchandise team, support the management of diamond feeds for the online builders.
  7. Develop a standard merchandise RFP process and perform, with assistance from the Buying Teams, merchandise RFPs on specific product categories.
  8. Manage support staff or assist with training and development of buying staff.
  9. Support the distribution center in maximizing the recovery of unwanted inventory for sell-off.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position may supervise a staff of Associate Buyers, Assistant Buyers and/or Merchandise Detail Assistants and will be responsible for the following:
  • Accomplish department objectives by directing and monitoring the work progress of direct report.
  • Provide coaching and guidance to direct report.
  • Set expectations, annual goals and provide required quarterly touch base meetings with all direct report.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in Retail Management, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Seven to ten years of merchandise management experience required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Extensive jewelry and diamond knowledge preferred, along with demonstrated vendor negotiation experience and project management skills.
  • Experience in product planning and forecasting, vendor negotiations, pricing analyses and inventory control is required.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of core buying skills required.
  • Strong analytical skills, retail math and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.
  • Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers.

COMPETENCIES:
Analytical Thinking, Business Knowledge, Integrity, Leadership, Relationship Building

What Helzberg Diamonds employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About Helzberg Diamonds

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

After over a Century of Service, Helzberg Diamonds has grown to over 200 Stores that started in the Heartland of America. Through it all, Our Core Values have stayed the same. We believe in People First, and it shines through in everything we do. Every piece we sell is an extension of our mission to make people feel loved. We support and practice Ethical metals mining, and only sell conflict free diamonds. Whether it’s made by us or designed by one of our incredible business partners, it’s made with love.

Industry

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, MO, US

Year founded

1915

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