Buying and Ordering Assistant

Primary Purpose

The Merchandising Assistant (Buying & Ordering Assistant) will support the merchandising team in executing product strategy, 

managing inventory, and ensuring that our product displays are aligned with brand standards and sales 

goals. This role is crucial for helping to maintain organized inventory levels, track product performance, 

and coordinate between departments to deliver a seamless customer experience. The ideal candidate is 

detail-oriented, organized, and has a passion for retail, product merchandising, and data analysis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Product Management Support:

•  Assist the merchandising team in managing product assortments, analyzing performance, and coordinating new product launches.
•  Help ensure that the assortment and inventory levels align with merchandising strategies, seasonal plans, and brand standards.
•  Collaborate with buyers and planners to track product trends, stock levels, and ensure optimal replenishment.

Inventory and Stock Management:

•  Monitor and report on inventory levels, helping to identify and resolve any stock discrepancies or imbalances.
•  Track reorder points, work with supply chain teams on replenishments, and support the allocation of stock across locations as needed.
•  Assist with markdown recommendations, clearance strategies, and inventory turnover objectives.

Sales Analysis and Reporting:

•  Prepare weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales reports to support the merchandising team's decision-making processes.
•  Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sell-through, stock-to-sales ratio, and gross margin, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
•  Support the merchandising team in compiling data for quarterly and seasonal business reviews.

Visual Merchandising Coordination:

•  Work with the visual merchandising team to implement product displays and promotional setups, ensuring visual consistency across locations.
•  Assist in executing visual merchandising plans for new product launches, promotions, and seasonal changes.
•  Provide feedback on display effectiveness and offer suggestions for improvements based on customer feedback and sales data.

Vendor and Supplier Communication:

•  Communicate with vendors on product delivery timelines, quality control, and order discrepancies.
•  Coordinate with suppliers to track shipments, resolve issues, and ensure products meet quality standards.
•  Assist in managing product samples and coordinating with vendors to acquire updated samples for merchandising presentations.

Administrative and Organizational Support:

•  Maintain organized records of product details, purchase orders, and vendor agreements.
•  Support product data entry and SKU management within retail management or ERP systems.
•  Handle various administrative tasks such as filing, organizing, and assisting with the preparation of merchandising presentations.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

•  Comprehensive knowledge of the products Country Supplier sells.
•  Perform daily cleaning – such as, but not limited to, vacuuming, replacing full trashes with new trash bags, and sweeping.
•  Other duties assigned as needed.

Qualifications

•  Preferred Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, or a related field preferred.
•  1-2 years of experience in merchandising, buying, or retail is preferred.
•  Strong analytical skills, with familiarity in retail math and an ability to interpret sales and inventory data.
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications; experience with merchandising software or ERP systems is a plus.
•  Strong organizational and time management skills with an ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
•  Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for working with cross-functional teams and external partners.
•  Attention to detail and a proactive, problem-solving approach.