Assistant Buyer

Palmetto Moon is a rapidly growing specialty apparel, accessories, home and gifts retailer celebrating the Southern lifestyle.  A company that is Southern at heart, Palmetto Moon’s focus is on relentless customer service and a premium assortment, with stores carrying countless affordable gifts and a wide selection of collegiate gear and lifestyle brands, including Vineyard Vines, YETI, Chubbies, Southern Marsh, Simply Southern, Hey Dude, Old Row, Costa, Rainbow Sandals and many more.

Position Summary
The Assistant Buyer supports the merchandising team in purchasing and procurement of goods for future retail sales. This role is integral in executing merchandising strategies, monitoring inventory levels, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring timely product flow to stores. The Assistant Buyer works closely with the buying, planning, allocation, marketing, and operations teams to achieve sales and margin objectives while maintaining a compelling assortment that aligns with company goals.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative & Operational Support
•    Process orders, track shipments, and manage related documentation.
•    Ensure accuracy of purchase orders, invoices, and vendor records.
•    Prepare materials for line reviews and internal assortment meetings.

Purchasing & Procurement
•    Create purchase orders and process reorders for weekly inventory replenishment.
•    Manage the open order log to ensure order accuracy and timely follow-up.
•    Work with monthly plans and current sales trends to manage inventory levels effectively.
•    Negotiate volume discounts, pricing, and terms with vendors under Buyer supervision.
•    Meet with potential new and current vendors to evaluate product opportunities.
 

Sales Analysis & Reporting
•    Produce and review daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance reports.
•    Identify opportunities to capitalize on best-sellers and address underperformers.
•    Provide actionable insights to the Buyer based on trend analysis.

Merchandising & Assortment Planning
•    Assist in developing merchandising strategies and seasonal assortment plans.
•    Partner with the Buyer to identify and research key market trends, emerging categories, and new vendor opportunities.
•    Analyze daily and weekly sales reports to identify opportunities and address risks at the style and store level.
•    Assist with assortment and merchandising planning to optimize product mix and support sales objectives.
•    Support markdown strategy development to address inventory risks.

Inventory & Allocation Support
•    Collaborate with the Allocator to determine optimal product distribution at the store level.
•    Monitor stock replenishment and identify opportunities to maximize sales and minimize stockouts.
•    Work with vendors and the shipping department to ensure timely receipt and delivery of merchandise.

Vendor & Cross-Functional Collaboration
•    Maintain and facilitate vendor relationships to ensure strong communication and timely issue resolution.
•    Coordinate with marketing to align point-of-purchase (POP) materials and sales promotions with merchandise plans.
•    Facilitate communication between vendors, distribution, and store operations.
 

Qualifications
•    Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, or related field preferred.
•    1–3 years of experience in buying, merchandising, planning, or retail operations preferred.
•    Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
•    Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
•    Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
•    Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Additional Requirements
•    Ability to travel for market visits, vendor meetings, and trade shows as needed.
•    Flexibility to work extended hours during peak seasons.