Purchasing / Inventory Assistant

The Assistant Buyer is responsible for supporting the Buyer in product selection, assortment planning, vendor management, and pricing management and promotional activities. This role requires a keen understanding of the retail landscape, market trends, and inventory management to assess products, recommend adjustments, and provide strategic input. The Assistant Buyer works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth execution of promotional, seasonal, and merchandising plans while maintaining a focus on financial objectives and product quality.

Product Selection & Assortment Planning
Monitor SKU reports and recommend adjustments to optimize SKU selection and inventory performance.
Ensure all products and packaging meet negotiated specifications and quality standards through proper documentation and inspections/audits before they reach the sales floor.

Plan and communicate seasonal and promotional calendars with vendors to ensure timely delivery of merchandise and promotions, optimizing sell-through rates.

Conduct ongoing market research and provide input to the Buyer on purchasing decisions, staying up to date with industry trends.
Manage replenishment merchandise margins to ensure financial goals are met.
Collaborate effectively with key departments, including Logistics, Operations, and Compliance, by preparing and distributing merchandise reports and bulletins (e.g., Serve as a liaison between buying, logistics, and other teams to ensure smooth execution of merchandising plans.

In collaboration with the Buyer, plan a promotional calendar aligned with seasonal trends and aimed at maximizing sales.
Negotiate promotional contracts with vendors and coordinate with the forecasting/replenishment team to ensure successful execution of promotions, with appropriate inventory levels.

Financial & Budget Management
Assist in planning rotational calendars, new item launches, and seasonal merchandise programs by analyzing financial data, including sales/margin projections and Open to Buy (OTB).
Monitor sell-through performance and recommend pricing strategies to clear out inactive or rotational items.
Use historical sales data and inventory levels to make informed recommendations on product selection, pricing, timing, and promotions.

Provide monthly analysis of departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track successes, missed opportunities, and areas for improvement.
Support ongoing analysis of sales performance, margin contributions, and inventory turnover to inform future buying decisions.

Experience: 3-5 years of progressive experience in retail buying, merchandising, or product management.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess market trends and sales data.
Proficiency in Excel and data management systems.
Proven experience in managing vendor relationships and product quality.
Familiarity with Open to Buy (OTB) planning and financial analysis.
Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred

Assess: Ability to evaluate product samples, market trends, and financial data to make informed decisions.
Provide Input: Contribute valuable insights on promotional calendars, assortment plans, and purchasing decisions.

Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Passion, Community and Continuous Improvement
Full of energy for the things one sees as challenging
It is not intended to contain or be construed as an exhaustive inventory of all job duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Medical, Dental and Vision plans
~ Employee Assistance Program
~ Education Assistance Program
~Life Insurance
~ Calm Meditation App
~ We not only embrace and celebrate the diversity of our membership base and communities, but also strive to achieve the same in our employees. At PriceSmart, we are committed to equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or any other class protected by applicable law. PriceSmart was founded with a purpose to inspire and impact the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees and our communities through the ethical delivery of the best quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices.

At PriceSmart, you can look forward to company events, anniversaries celebrating our employees with more than 20, or 30 years of tenure, volunteering and learning opportunities, and just great company filled with curious, kind folks. the challenge of building our own culture is on all of our shoulders. That sense of community and belonging keeps us excited to walk through the door everyday, wherever that door may be, in any of our 13 countries.