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Associate Merchant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

Associate Merchant - Lures

Pea Ridge, AR · On-site

$70K - $130K/yr

As an Associate Merchant, you will support category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup ...

As an Associate Merchant, you will support category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup ...

Associate Merchant - Lures

Johnson, AR · On-site

$70K - $130K/yr

As an Associate Merchant, you will support category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup ...

As an Associate Merchant, you will support category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup ...

Associate Merchant - Lures

Anderson, MO · On-site

$70K - $130K/yr

As an Associate Merchant, you will support category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

The (USA) Associate Merchant supports category management by assisting with supplier negotiations, purchase order administration, and item setup for stores and online channels. This role collaborates ...

As an Associate Merchant, you will support category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup ...

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Showing results 1-20

Associate Merchant information

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$13

$25

$42

How much do associate merchant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate merchant in the United States is $25.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $35.58 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.
More about Associate Merchant jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Merchant jobs? Cities with the most Associate Merchant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Merchant jobs? The most popular types of Merchant jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Associate Merchant jobs? The top employers for Associate Merchant jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Merchant jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Merchant jobs include:
Infographic showing various Associate Merchant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $53,068 per year, or $25.5 per hour.
Associate Merchant, Sports Licensing

Associate Merchant, Sports Licensing

Vineyard Vines

Stamford, CT • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago


Vineyard Vines rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 104 rated fashion retailers


Job description

About Usvineyard vines is a highly successful, privately held, American clothing and accessory retailer founded in 1998 on Martha's Vineyard by brothers, Shep & Ian Murray. With Shep & Ian still at the helm today, vineyard vines has experienced exponential year over year growth and now operates over 120 retail locations including an outlet division, a successful e-commerce business, domestic distribution center, and expanding corporate headquarters. In addition, vineyard vines is carried in major department stores such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales as well as numerous specialty boutiques across the US
vineyard vines was founded on a state of mind that Every day should feel this good. You don't need to be on a beach, by the ocean or on vacation to have Every day should feel this good moments. It's a state of mind that we all experience, and one where everyone is invited. At vineyard vines, we don't just live an #EDSFTG life away from our desks-we bring it to work with us, too
Whether in our stores, or at our Harbor Drive headquarters, our company culture is fun, encouraging and welcoming to all. We work hard and play harder, and we never take ourselves too seriously. And while we have many company goals, our number one priority is making vineyard vines a great place to work for all employees. Our team is our family, and we'd never have grown to where we are today without them
We're committed to building an inclusive team across all channels, departments and stores within our community. We hope you'll join us and see what the smiling pink whale is all about.
Overview
The Associate Merchant, Sports Licensing is responsible for supporting the merchandising strategy and execution of vineyard vines' sports licensed product businesses. Reporting to the Director, Men's & Retail Custom, this role will help drive product assortment planning, partnership execution, and business performance across sports licensed collections and strategic relationships.
Working cross-functionally with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, Planning, Sales, Marketing, and external licensing partners, the Associate Merchant will support the development of compelling assortments that reflect the vineyard vines brand while meeting the needs of sports licensing partners. This position requires a detail-oriented merchant with strong analytical skills, product passion, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced retail environment.
Key Responsibilities
Sports Licensing Merchandising
  • Support the development and execution of merchandising strategies for the sports licensed business.
  • Assist in building seasonal assortments across apparel, accessories, and licensed product categories.
  • Partner with Design and Product Development to ensure assortments align with brand standards, licensing requirements, and consumer demand.
  • Manage product information, assortment tools, and merchandising documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and consumer insights to identify product opportunities and assortment enhancements.
  • Support SKU productivity analysis and recommend actions to improve category performance.

Assortment Planning & Business Management
  • Partner with Planning and Allocation teams to support forecasting, inventory management, and business performance objectives.
  • Analyze sales, inventory, and margin performance to identify risks and opportunities.
  • Prepare weekly, monthly, and seasonal business recaps and reporting.
  • Support assortment reviews, hindsight analyses, and product recommendations.
  • Assist in developing seasonal line plans and category strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, Marketing, E-commerce, and Sales teams to bring sports licensed assortments to market.
  • Collaborate and communicate with cross-functional teams, specifically within the licensing division.
  • Support milestone meetings and maintain project timelines across multiple product launches.
  • Collaborate with Marketing teams to ensure product stories and launch plans are effectively communicated.
  • Partner with Operations and Legal teams to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and approval processes.
  • Assist with special projects, product launches, events, and partnership activations as needed.

Business Performance & Analytics
  • Track and report on key business metrics including sales, inventory, margin, and assortment productivity.
  • Identify trends and insights to support future merchandising decisions.
  • Monitor performance by school, category, and product classification.
  • Develop recommendations to improve product assortments and drive business growth.
  • Support presentations and reporting for leadership reviews.

What you bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field.
  • 2-4 years of merchandising, buying, planning, product management, or licensing experience, preferably within apparel, retail, or consumer products.
  • Strong interest in collegiate licensing, sports-related merchandise, and brand partnerships.
  • Analytical mindset with experience working with sales, inventory, and assortment data.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and merchandising systems.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Detail-oriented with strong follow-through and project management capabilities.
  • Collaborative team player who thrives in a cross-functional environment.
  • Passion for the Vineyard Vines brand, lifestyle, and customer.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working with sports licensing programs, CLC, Learfield, or similar licensing organizations.
  • Knowledge of apparel merchandising and product development processes.
  • Familiarity with retail planning, forecasting, and assortment management.
  • Experience supporting licensed or partnership-based product businesses.

Every Day Will Feel This Good Because
  • We have a fun-spirited entrepreneurial culture filled with truly "good" people
  • We offer a generous employee discount so you can rep our lifestyle on-and-off the boat
  • We offer a competitive salary package, 401-K, commuter benefits, and paid-family leave, health savings, flex spending accounts, life & disability insurance
  • We have an onsite gym as well as health & financial wellness programs to keep you active
  • We offer 2 summer Fridays to take off in addition to a competitive vacation policy & holiday calendar

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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