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Associate Merchant Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Claire's

Associate, Buyer (Hybrid)

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$59K - $79K/yr

Description The Associate Buyer will support Merchants to curate commercial, global, trend-right assortments - with a constant consideration for our customer. Having independent ownership for a ...

Li & Fung

Associate Merchandiser - Hard Goods

Chicago, IL

$50K - $55K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

The Associate Merchandiser for the Miles Hard Goods Division plays a key role in supporting customer relationships and driving the product lifecycle from order placement through delivery. This role ...

Room & Board

Outlet Associate (Part Time)

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$18/hr

  • Retirement

Our part-time Retail Sales Associate / Merchandiser in our Outlet plays an essential role in creating an exceptional experience for our customers shopping our 8,000 sq. ft. outlet by providing ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Algonquin, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Evanston, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

Tjx

Merchandise Associate

Evanston, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Skokie, IL · On-site

$15.40 - $15.90/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Schaumburg, IL

$15 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Willowbrook, IL

$15 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$16.60 - $17.10/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Algonquin, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

Tjx

merchandise associate

Chicago Ridge, IL

$15 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

HomeGoods

Merchandise Associate

Algonquin, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

TJX Companies

Merchandise Associate

Palatine, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

Tjx

Merchandise Associate

Schererville, IN · On-site

$13.25 - $13.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

Tjx

Merchandise Associate

Schererville, IN · On-site

$13.25 - $13.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Adheres to all operational, merchandise, and loss prevention standards. May be cross-trained to ... Associate discount; EAP; smoking cessation; bereavement; 401(k) Associate contributions; child care ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Merchant JobsAssociate Merchant Jobs in Chicago, IL

Associate Merchant information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$14

$26

$44

How much do associate merchant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate merchant in Chicago, IL is $26.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $36.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an associate merchant?

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 is an associate merchant?

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 collaborate with buyers and vendors?

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 are the most commonly searched types of Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Associate Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Associate Merchant jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Associate Merchant job openings:

Associate Merchant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Merchant job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,711 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Quill, Associate Category Merchant

Staples, Inc.

Lincolnshire, IL • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Staples rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 633 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

426th of 733 rated retailers

Job description

Quill is a valuable part of the Staples family of brands. Since 1956, Quill has held its position as a leader in office supplies.

Acquired by Staples in 1998, Quill delivers the essential services, solutions, and award-winning customer support to help our customers - and our people - thrive. When you partner with Quill, as a customer or as an associate, every workday is more rewarding. 

Quill is seeking an Associate Category Merchant to help shape and grow assigned product lines. In this role, you will manage the product-line P&L and partner across merchandising, pricing, analytics, marketing, eCommerce, customer relations, and sales to support sales and margin goals. You will combine financial analysis, customer insights, vendor collaboration, assortment planning, and promotional execution to create a strong online shopping experience.

What you will be doing:

Develop and execute strategic business plans for assigned product lines that align with company objectives.

Manage the product lifecycle, including assortment planning, vendor selection, negotiation, financial planning, inventory management, and merchandise presentation.

Partner with merchandising leadership to implement strategies that drive sales, margin, and competitive differentiation.

Collaborate across teams to improve the online shopping experience using customer insights, data, and digital selling tools.

Support promotional go-to-market strategies and plan key product promotions to increase traffic and incremental sales and margin.

Negotiate with vendors to secure cooperative funding and favorable terms.

Monitor market trends, customer buying patterns, and internal financial data to identify opportunities and risks.

Interpret financial reports and communicate insights that support informed product-line decisions.

Develop product-line pricing strategies in partnership with the Pricing team.

Provide clear direction across project teams and share business insights and product knowledge.

What You Bring to the Table:

Knowledge of industry trends, assortment planning, customer buying patterns, inventory management, logistics, and marketing techniques.

Strong data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to translate insights into informed business decisions.

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Ability to work independently, manage priorities effectively, and stay organized in a detail-oriented environment.

Creative, continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to assess and simplify processes and workflows.

What's needed: Basic Qualifications:

3+ years of experience in buying-related functions, including merchandising, buying, planning, inventory management, marketing, or sales.

Experience with online merchandising strategies and practices.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, including the ability to develop and manipulate spreadsheets.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or equivalent work experience.

Experience working in an online retail environment.

Experience with Access, Power BI, Jira, Bloomreach, or related tools.

Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

We Offer:

  •  Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
  • Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays)
  • Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation. 

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

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