What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buying Assistant position at Arett Sales?
Are you analytical, detail-oriented, and excited by the strategy behind product planning and purchasing? Arett Sales is seeking an enthusiastic Buying Assistant / Merchandise Planner to join our dynamic Purchasing team at our Pennsauken, New Jersey headquarters.
For over 75 years, Arett Sales has been a leading distributor of lawn, garden, home, and outdoor living products across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. As a $150 million company with more than 600,000 square feet of warehouse space across Connecticut, Ohio, and California, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service and strong partnerships to our retail customers.
This is a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to work two days per week in our Pennsauken, NJ headquarters and three days remotely.
Position Overview
The Assistant Buyer / Merchandise Planner supports the Product Merchant and Buying Team through daily purchasing operations, data analysis, vendor collaboration, and strategic planning. This role blends analytical thinking with cross-functional teamwork to help drive sales growth, improve inventory performance, and strengthen vendor relationships.
You will work closely with leadership to develop action plans for assigned merchandise classifications while contributing to category profitability and long-term business strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and execution of annual product category strategies
- Analyze historical sales data to inform purchasing decisions
- Write and manage purchase orders while ensuring timely product delivery
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels while maximizing inventory turns
- Partner with vendors to negotiate pricing, request quotations, and expedite orders
- Monitor supply issues, backorders, and field concerns, escalating when necessary
- Maintain accurate purchasing databases and reporting tools
- Collaborate with internal departments including Sales, Marketing, Distribution, and Finance
- Assist in vendor marketing participation and advertising proofing
- Support trade shows and company events such as Open House
- Utilize tracking reports to identify opportunities and risks
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, or a minimum of three years of related experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
- Experience in purchasing within a manufacturing or distribution environment preferred
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills
- Highly organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
- Comfortable working in a compliance-driven environment while maintaining service excellence
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Why Join Arett Sales?
- Family-owned company with strong tenure and stability
- Collaborative culture with cross-department partnership
- Opportunity to influence category growth and profitability
- Exposure to national brands and industry-leading vendors
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
If you are motivated by data-driven decision-making, vendor collaboration, and contributing to the growth of a respected industry leader, we encourage you to apply.
Arett Sales is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace.