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Merchandise Buyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Variety Distributors

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Merchandise Buyer

Harlan, IA · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

The Buyer plays a crucial role in managing purchase orders, negotiating costs, and maintaining strong vendor relationships to ensure optimal inventory control. This position involves working with ...

Citi Trends

Buyer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

CITITRENDS is seeking a Merchandise Buyer to drive product selection, assortment strategy, and vendor partnerships that align with our brand and meet the needs of our customers. This role plays a ...

Citi Trends

Buyer

Manhattan, NY

CITITRENDS is seeking a Merchandise Buyer to drive product selection, assortment strategy, and vendor partnerships that align with our brand and meet the needs of our customers. This role plays a ...

Roses Discount Stores

Buyer - Hardlines

Columbus, OH · On-site

Collaborates in developing the merchandise strategies that define which categories will grow ... Travel may involve overseas in selected buying positions. * Develops a collaborative team ...

Big Lots

Buyer - Hardlines

Columbus, OH · On-site

Collaborates in developing the merchandise strategies that define which categories will grow ... Travel may involve overseas in selected buying positions. * Develops a collaborative team ...

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How much do merchandise buyer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for merchandise buyer in the United States is $25.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Merchandise Buyer do?

A Merchandise Buyer selects and purchases products for a retail business based on customer demand, market trends, and company goals. They analyze sales data, negotiate with suppliers, and manage inventory levels to ensure profitability. Buyers also collaborate with merchandising and marketing teams to optimize product placement and promotions. Strong analytical skills, market awareness, and negotiation abilities are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Merchandise Buyer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Merchandise Buyer, you need strong analytical skills, market research abilities, negotiation expertise, and experience in retail buying or merchandising, often supported by a business-related degree. Familiarity with inventory management systems, ERP platforms like SAP, and data analysis tools is essential in this role. Effective communication, attention to detail, and the ability to build relationships with vendors are standout soft skills. These competencies enable Merchandise Buyers to source the right products at optimal terms, contributing directly to profitability and customer satisfaction.

What are some typical day-to-day responsibilities for a Merchandise Buyer?

A Merchandise Buyer's daily tasks often include analyzing sales data and market trends, meeting with vendors to negotiate prices and contracts, and selecting products that align with the company’s merchandising strategy. They collaborate closely with inventory planners, marketing teams, and store managers to ensure product availability and timely promotions. Reviewing sales performance and adjusting buying plans to optimize inventory is a regular part of the job. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and identifying new suppliers also form a crucial aspect of the role.

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Merchandise Buyer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Merchandise Buyer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,991 per year, or $25.5 per hour.
Merchandise Buyer- Sourcing

Merchandise Buyer- Sourcing

Helzberg Diamonds

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Helzberg Diamonds rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 29 rated jewelry retailers

Job description


THE DEPARTMENT:
The Merchandise Department supports the Product needs of Helzberg Diamonds by building powerful assortments, wide-ranging price points, bridal dominance, competitive quality and value across multiple fine jewelry categories and time pieces. The Merchandise team is responsible for identifying products that will sell, negotiating vendor contracts, and analyzing sales data to make sound purchasing decisions as well as searching globally for unique trends and hot selling jewelry products. The department has a significant impact on profitability by closely managing gross margin and inventory turns as well as asset/memo mix. Merchandise is an active partner with the Store Operations group and Marketing in driving Helzberg's business.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This buyer role will concentrate on loose, call and strategic sourcing for the merchandise team. This role will develop and maintain merchandise assortments for assigned categories that will achieve budgeted sales and margin plans while adhering to specific inventory levels and budgets and meeting product quality standards. Serve as the internal supplier of loose diamonds as needed for product manufactured by Helzberg and assist the merchandising team with quality standards for all diamond product, including lab grown. Ensure competitive pricing for Helzberg's sourcing of diamonds, gemstones and metals. The incumbent must have highly developed relationship building skills to build and maintain effective relationships with external merchandise vendors to achieve merchandising strategies.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
  1. Develop and implement merchandise assortments and projects for loose stones and call stones to meet objectives for all distribution channels. Understand competitive landscape; stay attuned to changing market dynamics and logistics.
  2. Conduct cost analysis on all diamond product, and other basic jewelry categories, to reduce overlap between channels, procurement costs and / or improve gross margin. Deliver year over year cost reductions through a total cost of ownership mindset.
  3. Be the primary contact and subject matter expert for our diamond certification partners, external laboratories and other supply chain relationships. Improve process and efficiencies with these vendors.
  4. Develop and manage partnerships with vendors, including negotiating favorable terms and sourcing to ensure all product meets the company's merchandising and financial objectives. Work with vendors to resolve issues.
  5. Evaluate vendor performance and make recommendations to merchandise on how to meet business needs.
  6. In conjunction with merchandise team, support the management of diamond feeds for the online builders.
  7. Develop a standard merchandise RFP process and perform, with assistance from the Buying Teams, merchandise RFPs on specific product categories.
  8. Manage support staff or assist with training and development of buying staff.
  9. Support the distribution center in maximizing the recovery of unwanted inventory for sell-off.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position may supervise a staff of Associate Buyers, Assistant Buyers and/or Merchandise Detail Assistants and will be responsible for the following:
  • Accomplish department objectives by directing and monitoring the work progress of direct report.
  • Provide coaching and guidance to direct report.
  • Set expectations, annual goals and provide required quarterly touch base meetings with all direct report.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in Retail Management, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Seven to ten years of merchandise management experience required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Extensive jewelry and diamond knowledge preferred, along with demonstrated vendor negotiation experience and project management skills.
  • Experience in product planning and forecasting, vendor negotiations, pricing analyses and inventory control is required.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of core buying skills required.
  • Strong analytical skills, retail math and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.
  • Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers.

COMPETENCIES:
Analytical Thinking, Business Knowledge, Integrity, Leadership, Relationship Building

What Helzberg Diamonds employees say

Pay

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Hours and flexibility

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About Helzberg Diamonds

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

After over a Century of Service, Helzberg Diamonds has grown to over 200 Stores that started in the Heartland of America. Through it all, Our Core Values have stayed the same. We believe in People First, and it shines through in everything we do. Every piece we sell is an extension of our mission to make people feel loved. We support and practice Ethical metals mining, and only sell conflict free diamonds. Whether it’s made by us or designed by one of our incredible business partners, it’s made with love.

Industry

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, MO, US

Year founded

1915

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