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Associate Merchandise Buyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PetSmart

Associate Buyer

Phoenix, AZ

About the Job As an Associate Buyer , you are responsible for setting the merchandise strategy for ... Purchase and manage merchandise assortments to maximize sales, margin, and overall business ...

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Associate Merchandise Buyer information

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$5.5K

How much do associate merchandise buyer jobs pay per month?

As of Jun 14, 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 is the highest paying merchandiser job?

The highest paying merchandiser roles are often senior or executive positions such as Merchandising Director or Vice President of Merchandising, which can earn six-figure salaries. These roles typically require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and expertise in market analysis and inventory management.

What does an associate buyer do?

An associate merchandise buyer assists in selecting and purchasing products for retail stores or companies, analyzing sales data and market trends to ensure inventory meets customer demand. They often collaborate with suppliers, negotiate prices, and use merchandising software to manage stock levels and product placement.

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.

How to be a buyer with no experience?

To become an associate merchandise buyer with no experience, focus on gaining knowledge of retail operations, inventory management, and vendor relations through entry-level roles or internships. Developing skills in data analysis, negotiation, and using buying tools like spreadsheets can also help build your qualifications for a buying position.

What does a merchandising buyer do?

A merchandising buyer is responsible for selecting and purchasing products to meet customer demand and maximize sales. They analyze market trends, negotiate with suppliers, and manage inventory levels, often using tools like spreadsheets and inventory management software. Their work involves collaboration with sales and marketing teams to ensure product assortments align with company goals.
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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 75% Full Time, and 25% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,002 per year, or $21.6 per hour.
Buyer - Home Textiles

Buyer - Home Textiles

Meijer Companies Ltd

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Meijer rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 1,591 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you're provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family - take care of your career and your community!

Meijer Rewards

  • Weekly pay

  • Scheduling flexibility

  • Paid parental leave

  • Paid education assistance

  • Team member discount

  • Development programs for advancement and career growth

Please review the job profile below and apply today!

This position owns the assortment, pricing strategy, planogram, marketing, and managing of the vendor relationship to deliver the financial plan.


What You'll be Doing:

  • Drives the strategic direction of the area with the goal to make Meijer the most compelling place for our customers to shop by focusing on Pricing, Assortment, Brands, Marketing, and Store Presentation.
  • Utilize internal and external market information to anticipate trends and future customer needs to drive brand and item selection.
  • Visits stores (both Meijer and competition) regularly to proactively understand assortments, pricing and store presentation.
  • Works with the Merchandise Financial Planner on the financial plan.
  • Responsible for the overall direction and performance of a merchandising category.
  • Determines category position profile and assigns a role to each category.
  • Drives the category review and makes the recommendations based on analysis.
  • Works with team to develop and approves master and version planograms.
  • Determines pricing strategy for category / product that maintains Meijer's pricing integrity, drives sales, and direct margin dollars.
  • Reviews pricing analytics with Pricing team to determine optimal pricing.
  • The primary owner that ensures Meijer is competitively priced.
  • Determines promotional (advertising or price) based on competition and seasonality.
  • Collaborates with Inventory Manager on inventory needs to support promotional strategy.
  • Evaluates marketing effectiveness (lift over norm in sales and DM$) and leads changes to drive increases over prior year.
  • Approves markdown strategy that ties to plan.
  • Informs and elevates markdowns that do not tie to plan to MM and PM.
  • Negotiates with vendors for markdown support or returns.
  • Responsible for strong, action-oriented analysis of business in season, post season and long-term planning of category.
  • Uses analysis to drive assortment, marketing, pricing and store placement decisions.
  • Utilizes industry information to drive brand and item selection focusing on competing with both mass, big box and specialty retail.
  • Drives the Grow, Maintain, Downtrend category designations to create bottoms up plan to meet total area financial targets.
  • Mentors, trains and develops Business Analysts and Associate Buyers
  • This job profile is not meant to be all inclusive of the responsibilities of this position; may perform other duties as assigned or required

What You Bring with You (Qualifications):

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree; or equivalent retail experience.
  • 3-7 years of experience in a Buying role
  • 6+ years of experience in the retail industry
  • Buying, inventory management and analysis experience required.
  • Knowledge of the market, retail business and customers.
  • Knowledge of business drivers (e.g. pricing, promotion, assortment).
  • Financial Planning skills.
  • Negotiations skills.
  • Sense of product trends.
  • Enthusiasm, Initiative and passion for retail.
  • Office computer skills; able to learn company systems and tools, preference for Microsoft application experience.

What Meijer employees say

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