1

Associate Merchandise Manager Jobs in Fort Wayne, IN

This role partners with the Store Manager to drive sales, develop associates, oversee merchandising and inventory, ensure operational excellence, and create a safe, engaging shopping environment. The ...

This role partners with the Store Manager to drive sales, develop associates, oversee merchandising and inventory, ensure operational excellence, and create a safe, engaging shopping environment. The ...

Ensures merchandise is properly tagged, hung, secured, and coded * Communicates with the ... Partners with Management on Associate training needs to increase effectiveness * Ensures adherence ...

New

This role partners with the Store Manager to drive sales, develop associates, oversee merchandising and inventory, ensure operational excellence, and create a safe, engaging shopping environment. The ...

This role partners with the Store Manager to drive sales, develop associates, oversee merchandising and inventory, ensure operational excellence, and create a safe, engaging shopping environment. The ...

Retail Store Assistant Manager

Larwill, IN · On-site

$15.25 - $20.75/hr

This role partners with the Store Manager to drive sales, develop associates, oversee merchandising and inventory, ensure operational excellence, and create a safe, engaging shopping environment. The ...

Retail Store Assistant Manager

Larwill, IN

$15.25 - $20.75/hr

This role partners with the Store Manager to drive sales, develop associates, oversee merchandising and inventory, ensure operational excellence, and create a safe, engaging shopping environment. The ...

Warehouse Associate

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$14.75 - $17.50/hr

This role ensures the proper evaluation and shipping of merchandise and managing inventory flow. The Warehouse Associate is also responsible to unload trailers (Receiving). Individual contributor ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Merchandise Manager information

What does an associate merchandise manager do?

An Associate Merchandise Manager assists in planning, selecting, and purchasing products for retail stores or online platforms. They analyze sales trends, work with vendors, help develop pricing strategies, and ensure that merchandise aligns with the company's goals and customer preferences. This role often involves collaborating with marketing, inventory, and sales teams to optimize product assortments and maximize profitability. Associate Merchandise Managers also monitor inventory levels and help execute promotional strategies to drive sales.

How does an associate merchandise manager typically collaborate with buyers and planners to develop effective product assortments?

As an Associate Merchandise Manager, you will regularly work with buyers to analyze sales data, review market trends, and identify opportunities for new products or adjustments to existing assortments. Collaboration with planners is essential for managing inventory levels, ensuring that merchandise aligns with financial targets and promotional calendars. This role requires strong communication and analytical skills, as you'll be part of cross-functional meetings, providing input to optimize the merchandise mix and drive sales growth.

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

To thrive as an Associate Merchandise Manager, you need strong analytical skills, an understanding of retail math, and a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Proficiency with inventory management systems, Excel, and merchandising planning software is typically required. Excellent communication, organization, and negotiation skills help you collaborate across teams and manage vendor relationships effectively. These competencies are essential for optimizing product assortments, driving sales, and ensuring smooth merchandising operations.

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

AspectAssociate Merchandise ManagerMerchandise Planner
Primary FocusAssists in product selection, inventory management, and sales strategiesForecasts sales, plans inventory levels, and manages stock flow
Required SkillsProduct knowledge, communication, basic analyticsData analysis, forecasting, inventory optimization
Work EnvironmentRetail or e-commerce companies, team collaborationPlanning departments, cross-functional teams
Common CertificationsMerchandising, retail managementSupply chain, inventory management certifications

The Associate Merchandise Manager and Merchandise Planner roles both operate within retail and merchandising environments, often collaborating closely. While the Associate Merchandise Manager focuses on product selection and sales support, the Merchandise Planner specializes in sales forecasting and inventory planning. Both roles require analytical skills and industry knowledge, but their core responsibilities differ, making them complementary positions within retail teams.

What cities near Fort Wayne, IN are hiring for Associate Merchandise Manager jobs?

Cities near Fort Wayne, IN with the most Associate Merchandise Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Merchandise Manager job openings in Fort Wayne, IN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution.

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Family Express rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

21st of 47 rated convenience stores


Job description

Job title: Associate Manager
FLSA status: Non-Exempt
Department: Operations
Reports to: Store Manager
Position summary: The Associate Manager is a developmental position. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to personal development and to individual store and overall company success. This position is designed for aspiring leaders who are eager to develop their management skills and grow within our organization. As an Associate Manager, you will undergo a comprehensive training program to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of our store operations.
General Purpose: The Associate Manager is responsible for supporting the Store Manager in the daily operation of the store, learning all store management responsibilities and role modeling excellence in customer service. To provide our customers with total satisfaction. To serve our community through volunteerism and produce a return on assets which will assure the future prosperity of our employees and our company. To be an ambassador of our "Living Brand" by building relationships with our customers.
Role Qualifications:
  • Desire to become a Store Manager
  • Ability to manage a store within 6-12 months
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Must have at least a High School diploma or equivalent
  • Reliable transportation
  • Must be able to travel daily between all Family Express locations or other non-Family Express locations when necessary.

Position Responsibilities:
  • Meets and exceeds expectations of the Family Express culture including building relationships, promoting the Living Brand, and serves as a product brand advocate as outlined in the Culture Audit expectations
  • Complete all daily, weekly, monthly accounting, banking, and auditing functions using Company approved accounting procedures
  • Effectively operates and maintains all approved store equipment
  • Ensures minimum image standards are met at all times
  • Assists store manager with recruiting and interviewing qualified applicants
  • Assists store manager in leading, motivating, inspiring, training, and coaching all employees
  • Ensures store security and safety for all customers and employees. Promptly reports any incident
  • Ensure proper safety, maintenance, cleanliness, and image standards are maintained for the entire store through store image reviews, proper merchandising, safety audits, and proper use of the daily and weekly shift duties lists
  • Maximizes sales and gross profit dollars by responsible and profitable marketing of merchandise and proper product availability and display
  • Assists with Management duties in the absence of the Store Manager (ie. Banking/Safe Procedures, vacation coverage, etc.)
  • Completion and attendance to Development Courses and Training requirements including but not limited to:
  • Monthly Associate Manager meetings
  • Monthly Living Brand University
  • Completion of Associate Manager Checklist
  • Cravin's To Order training
  • ServSafe Certification
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements
Essential Skills and Experience:
  • Situational Awareness
  • Strong customer orientation
  • Time management; including multitasking, productivity, and a sense of urgency
  • Excellent interpersonal and highly effective communication skills
  • High performance team building and strong team player; teamwork and the ability to enhance team members' performance.
  • Commitment to company mission and values
  • Basic mathematical & computer proficiency
  • Constructively deals with conflict
  • Adaptability, flexibility, and receptive to change
  • Problem analysis & resolution at both strategic & functional level
  • Effective decision making based on sound judgment and reasoning
  • Ability to read, write and understand English

Nonessential Skills and Experience:
  • 2-4 year college degree
  • Previous retail experience

Reporting To This Position: No direct reports
Physical demands and work environment:
  • Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand for prolonged periods; work up to ten (10) hour shifts, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch; talk and hear; taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
  • Work Environment: Must have flexibility to work all shifts, all days of the week, when necessary. Ability to tolerate extreme temperatures for minimum of 30-minute intervals. Exposure to cleaning solvents.

What Family Express employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom