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Associate Merchant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Torrid

Merchant (Accessories/Jewelry)

City Of Industry, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $130K/yr

Hybrid Schedule - 3 days in-office and 2 days remote The Merchant will own and manage a key category of the business, driving brand-aligned strategies to exceed financial objectives and customer ...

Torrid

Merchant (Accessories/Jewelry)

City Of Industry, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Hybrid Schedule - 3 days in-office and 2 days remote The Merchant will own and manage a key category of the business, driving brand-aligned strategies to exceed financial objectives and customer ...

Torrid

Merchant (Accessories/Jewelry)

City Of Industry, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $130K/yr

Hybrid Schedule - 3 days in-office and 2 days remote The Merchant will own and manage a key category of the business, driving brand-aligned strategies to exceed financial objectives and customer ...

Torrid

Merchant (Accessories/Jewelry)

Rowland Heights, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $130K/yr

Hybrid Schedule - 3 days in-office and 2 days remote The Merchant will own and manage a key category of the business, driving brand-aligned strategies to exceed financial objectives and customer ...

mul

Finishing Associate

North Highlands, CA · On-site

$19.71 - $20.75/hr

We operate out of the Rochester Tech Park are currently looking for Finishing Associates to start their career and join our team! Our primary hiring needs are on 2nd & 3rd Shift. Needs may vary based ...

Aquent

Associate Merchandise Planner

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$40.80 - $45.33/hr

The Role As an Associate Merchandise Planner, you will manage brand planning for both pre-season ... Acting as the core financial partner to the Merchant team, you will play a critical role in scaling ...

PacSun

Associate Merchandise Planner

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$71K/yr

Quantify in-season risks and opportunities and making the appropriate recommendations to merchant ... Generous associate discount of 30 - 50% off merchandise online and in-stores * On-site Cafe * On ...

ALO

Associate Merchandise Planner

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

OVERVIEW We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Merchandise Planner to support the planning team in developing and executing merchandise strategies that drive sales and ...

ALO

Associate Merchandise Planner

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

OVERVIEW We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Merchandise Planner to support the planning team in developing and executing merchandise strategies that drive sales and ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Riverside, CA · On-site

$17.90 - $18.40/hr

Grow Your Career Responsible for executing receiving and merchandising standards while ensuring Associates are processing efficiently and effectively, and working as a team. Ensures an excellent ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Riverside, CA · On-site

$17.90 - $18.40/hr

Grow Your Career Responsible for executing receiving and merchandising standards while ensuring Associates are processing efficiently and effectively, and working as a team. Ensures an excellent ...

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All JobsAssociate Merchant JobsAssociate Merchant Jobs in California

Associate Merchant information

See California salary details

$13

$25

$42

How much do associate merchant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate merchant in California is $25.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $35.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a merchant associate do?

A merchant associate supports retail or online sales operations by assisting with inventory management, customer service, and sales transactions. They often work in a team environment, use point-of-sale systems, and may handle tasks such as stocking shelves, processing payments, and maintaining product displays.

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

To thrive as an Associate Merchant, you need a solid understanding of retail math, merchandising strategies, and inventory management, often supported by a bachelor's degree in business, merchandising, or a related field. Familiarity with merchandising software, POS systems, and data analytics tools is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively with vendors and cross-functional teams. These competencies are crucial for optimizing product assortments, driving sales performance, and ensuring smooth product flow in a competitive retail environment.

What are Associate Merchants?

Associate Merchants are entry- to mid-level professionals who assist in the planning, selection, and purchasing of products for retail stores or online platforms. They work closely with buyers, vendors, and other teams to analyze sales trends, manage inventory, and help develop merchandising strategies. Their responsibilities often include monitoring product performance, preparing sales reports, and supporting the overall merchandising process to maximize profitability and customer satisfaction.

How does an Associate Merchant typically collaborate with buyers and vendors to ensure product assortment meets customer needs?

As an Associate Merchant, you will work closely with buyers to analyze sales data, identify market trends, and recommend product assortments that align with customer preferences. Collaboration with vendors is frequent, often involving negotiations on pricing, product specifications, and delivery schedules to secure the best terms. This role requires strong communication and analytical skills to balance the needs of customers, the goals of the business, and the capabilities of suppliers. Regular meetings and cross-functional teamwork are essential to ensure product selections are competitive and profitable.

What is the difference between Associate Merchant vs Buyer?

AspectAssociate MerchantBuyer
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field; some experience in retail or e-commerceSimilar educational background; often requires experience in procurement or retail
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, collaborating with marketing, product teams, and suppliersOffice or retail environment, focusing on vendor negotiations and inventory management
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in retail, e-commerce, and consumer goods companiesWidely used in retail, wholesale, and manufacturing sectors

The main difference is that an Associate Merchant typically supports product selection, marketing, and sales strategies, while a Buyer focuses on purchasing, vendor negotiations, and inventory management. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but their core responsibilities differ within the procurement and merchandising process.

What does an associate merchant do at Walmart?

An associate merchant at Walmart is responsible for selecting, sourcing, and managing product inventory to meet customer demand. They analyze sales data, negotiate with suppliers, and coordinate with other teams to ensure product availability and profitability. Strong analytical skills and familiarity with retail systems are important for this role.

How much does an associate merchant make at Walmart?

An associate merchant at Walmart typically earns an average salary of around $70,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on experience and location. The role involves managing product categories, analyzing sales data, and collaborating with suppliers to optimize inventory and sales performance.

What jobs pay $250 an hour?

In the context of an Associate Merchant role, earning $250 an hour is uncommon and typically associated with highly specialized or senior positions such as executive-level consultants, specialized financial advisors, or industry experts with extensive experience. These roles often require advanced skills, certifications, and a strong track record, and they may involve freelance or contract work with flexible schedules. Most standard associate-level jobs do not reach this pay rate.
What are the most commonly searched types of Merchant jobs in California? The most popular types of Merchant jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Merchant jobs in California? For Associate Merchant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Merchant jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Merchant jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Merchant jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Merchant job openings:
Associate Merchant jobs near you

Associate Merchant, Bath

Emerging Blue Jobs

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Associate Merchant, BathAbout the Role
Our client, a fast-growing San Francisco-based e-commerce company known for redefining value in premium apparel, fine jewelry, and home furnishings, is seeking an Associate Merchant to support and grow its Bath category. The Associate Merchant, Bath role is responsible for delighting our client’s growing customer base by expanding and managing the Bath product assortment.
Our client believes that everyone deserves access to high quality products at radically affordable prices.They believe the marketplace for consumer products is inundated with too many options, and customers find product quality difficult to determine and yet frequently pay more for a variety of things that can be delivered at much lower prices. Their goal is to find the best products in the marketplace and connect the makers of these goods directly to the customers who want them.
This merchant leading Bath will be responsible for managing the assortment, revenue and margins, and overall growth trajectory of that product category. The person in this role will be an innovator at heart leveraging the attributes below to build and run our emerging categories strategy.
Responsibilities
• Support and help execute the Bath assortment strategy, ensuring the category delivers exceptional quality, value, and customer satisfaction while meeting business objectives.
• Analyze product performance, customer insights, ratings, reviews, return rates, market trends, and financial metrics to make informed merchandising decisions.
• Develop, optimize, and scale product assortments to achieve category goals related to revenue, margin, inventory health, and customer satisfaction.
• Identify whitespace opportunities and contribute to the development of the category roadmap based on emerging trends, competitive insights, and evolving customer demand.
• Launch and expand new product categories, including novelty towels, bathroom accessories, and adjacent bath products.
• Evaluate existing assortments and recommend product quality improvements based on customer feedback and performance data.
• Partner closely with sourcing and product development teams to identify, develop, and launch new products with a focus on quality, sustainability, performance, and craftsmanship.
• Collaborate with marketing, creative, and site merchandising teams to support successful product launches and compelling category storytelling.
• Serve as a category expert and customer advocate, providing insights and recommendations that drive assortment and business decisions.
• Balance analytical rigor with creative merchandising judgment to support category growth and customer engagement.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders across merchandising, sourcing, operations, marketing, and leadership teams to ensure alignment and execution.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5–8 years of retail merchandising experience, with experience in bath textiles, bedding, home textiles, or related home furnishings categories.
• Luxury, premium, or elevated home category experience strongly preferred.
• E-commerce and/or direct-to-consumer (DTC) merchandising experience preferred.
• Proven track record of increasing responsibility and career progression within merchandising organizations.
• Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging data, reporting tools, customer insights, and external market research to inform business decisions.
• Deep understanding of assortment planning, product lifecycle management, pricing strategy, and category management principles.
• Strong merchant instincts with the ability to anticipate customer needs and identify product opportunities.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused with strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex business challenges, improve processes, and support operational excellence.
• Continuous learner with a high degree of curiosity, adaptability, and openness to new ideas and perspectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and work effectively across multiple functions and priorities.
• Passion for product, customer experience, and building high-growth consumer brands.
Additional Information
• This role is based in San Francisco, California, with a requirement to work in-office three days per week.
Compensation:
120-130k