Job Overview
The Merchandise Operations Associate – Purchasing plays a critical role in the day-to-day execution of the purchasing process by supporting the Merchandise Buying Team with accurate purchase order management, vendor communication, SKU creation, and product data maintenance. This operations-focused position ensures that products move efficiently from vendor selection through ordering and into inventory while maintaining the integrity of product information across company systems.
This position serves as the operational link between Category Buyers, vendors, merchandising, and inventory management. Once purchasing decisions have been made, you are responsible for creating and maintaining purchase orders, following up with vendors on acknowledgments and delivery schedules, monitoring open orders, and ensuring product information is accurate and complete.
A key responsibility of this role is the creation and maintenance of new product SKUs. You will build new items within the merchandising system, maintain product attributes, pricing, vendor information, descriptions, dimensions, and supporting documentation to ensure products are ready for purchasing, inventory management, and sales. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential to maintaining data integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
You will also support replenishment purchasing by monitoring inventory levels, generating reorder recommendations, maintaining stock levels, and ensuring purchase orders are placed according to established inventory strategies. Regular communication with vendor partners is essential to resolve discrepancies, obtain acknowledgments, monitor production schedules, and ensure timely deliveries.
Success in this role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate purchasing records and vendor relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Create, maintain, and process showroom stock purchase orders accurately and efficiently.
- Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up with vendors regarding acknowledgments, production status, shipping schedules, and delivery updates.
- Develop and maintain positive vendor relationships through regular communication and issue resolution.
- Create new product SKUs, ensuring all product information is complete and accurate, including descriptions, dimensions, pricing, vendor assignments, and inventory attributes.
- Maintain and update product master data files to ensure system accuracy and consistency.
- Support the introduction of new merchandise by building products within company systems and coordinating setup with merchandising and inventory teams.
- Monitor inventory levels and generate replenishment purchase orders based on established inventory strategies.
- Maintain accurate vendor cost files and assist with cost updates, price changes, and product maintenance.
- Research and resolve purchase order discrepancies, vendor issues, receiving variances, and invoice questions.
- Coordinate with merchandising, warehouse, accounting, and inventory teams to ensure accurate product setup and timely product availability.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and supporting documentation.
- Assist with product discontinuations, SKU replacements, product conversions, and inventory transitions.
- Prepare purchasing reports and analyze order activity, inventory levels, vendor performance, and purchasing trends.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve purchasing processes, data accuracy, and operational efficiency.
- Perform other purchasing and merchandise operations duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Strong data entry skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Systems-minded and computer-centric comfort and ability.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint in addition to the Google Workplace suite of programs (GoogleSheets, GoogleDocs, etc).
- Experience with retail purchasing, inventory management, ERP systems, or merchandise management systems strongly preferred.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with vendors and internal departments.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Self-motivated with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative merchandising team.
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) 4% Match
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
