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Associate Merchant Jobs in Deerfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Evanston, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.50/hr

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Crystal Lake, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.50/hr

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 ...

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.05 - $17.55/hr

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.05 - $17.55/hr

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$16.60 - $17.10/hr

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.50/hr

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 ...

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 ...

Merchandise Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.05 - $17.55/hr

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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Associate Merchant information

See Deerfield, IL salary details

$14

$25

$43

How much do associate merchant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate merchant in Deerfield, IL is $25.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.08 and $36.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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 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 collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product availability and profitability. Strong analytical skills and familiarity with retail systems are important for this role.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Associate Merchant job openings in Deerfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,967 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Quill, Associate Category Merchant

Lincolnshire, IL • On-site


Staples, Inc.
Retail • 10K+ employees

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 637 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

458th of 738 rated retailers

Recommended by students

Respectful managers

Uninterrupted breaks


Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


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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About Staples

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Staples is the country's largest operator of office supplies superstores, offering a vast selection of products at low prices, primarily to small business owners. The company has a strong online presence and operates over 994 stores in the U.S. and 40 warehouses/fulfillment centers. The company was founded by Leo Kahn and Thomas G. Stemberg, and opened its first store in Brighton, Massachusetts on May 1, 1986. By 1996, it had reached the Fortune 500, and later acquired the office supplies company Quill Corporation. Staples provides office and school supplies, office furnishings, electronics, software, snack and beauty products, as well as offering printing and technological services. The company has a strong commitment to innovation and customer service.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Framingham, MA, US

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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