Assistant Buyer

University Co-op; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University Co-op is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support merchandising operations, including accurate product setup, PO execution, and vendor coordination. The role ensures inventory visibility and timely handling of issues affecting product flow and customer experience.

Reporting to the Principal Merchant, you will collaborate across teams to maintain data integrity, manage samples, and support category readiness in apparel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, merchandising or related field.
• 1 year of experience in assistant buying, merchandising operations, allocation, retail management, or related internship.
• Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and basic reporting analysis.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, product setup, and PO management.
• Strong communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Basic understanding of merchandising operations, inventory flow, and product lifecycle management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Purchase Order and product setup accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain product and vendor data integrity.
• Coordinate effective vendor communication and coordination.
• Ensure inventory visibility and timely escalation of risks and opportunities.
• Ensure readiness and completeness of samples, assets, and product information.

Skills

Excel

Organizational skills

Communication

Cross-functional coordination

Data entry accuracy

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/merchandising or related field

Tools

Pivot tables

Lookups

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM Every penny of profit goes to course material scholarships for Longhorn students. Only at the Co-op.

Location: Austin, TX

Job Id:253

# of Openings:1

Assistant Buyer

Role Profile

Position Summary

The Assistant Buyer is a non-exempt role reporting to the Principal Merchant and is accountable for supporting merchandising operations through accurate product setup, purchase order execution, vendor coordination, and inventory visibility. This role provides operational support across the merchandising organization, with primary focus on apparel, ensuring timely and accurate execution of product lifecycle activities that support category readiness and business performance.

The Assistant Buyer partners closely with buyers, vendors, and cross-functional teams to maintain product and vendor data integrity, support inventory flow, coordinate samples and product assets, and proactively elevate issues impacting product availability, operational execution, or customer experience.

Please note that this role profile is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of competencies, accountabilities, and achievements required of the team member in this role.

Key Competencies for Success

Attention to Detail, Initiative, Achievement Orientation, Decision Making, Planning and Organizing, Problem Solving, Collaborating with Others.

Key Accountabilities & Achievements

• Purchase Order and Setup Accuracy
  • Own accuracy and timeliness of purchase orders and product setup.
• Product and Vendor Data Integrity
  • Own integrity and reliability of product and vendor data.
• Own effective vendor communication and coordination.
• Inventory Visibility and Issue Escalation
  • Own clear visibility into inventory status and timely escalation of risks, discrepancies, and opportunities impacting product flow and availability.
• Sample Asset and Readiness
  • Own readiness and completeness of samples, assets, and product information

Knowledge, Abilities & Experience for Success

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, merchandising or related field preferred.
• 1 year of experience in assistant buying, merchandising operations, allocation, retail management, or related internship experience.
• Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and basic reporting analysis.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and workflows.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, product setup, and purchase order management.
• Strong communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Ability to identify issues, elevate risks appropriately, and support problem resolution in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Basic understanding of merchandising operations, inventory flow, and product lifecycle management preferred.

Physical Demands

• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Well-lit, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.
• Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
• Travel to events, vendors and industry conferences as needed.
• Hours of work are Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends during busy times.

Our commitment to equal opportunity employment (EOE) extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, layoff, training, and benefits. We strive to provide a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.