Assistant Buyer

World Market; California; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with Roth option and company

Paid vacation and paid sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness resources

30% shopping discount

Hybrid work flexibility

World Market sample sales

Job summary

World Market in Alameda, CA is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support the merchandising team in developing unique assortments for omni-channel business.

You will analyze trends, manage vendor relationships, and assist with product development, assortment planning, and reporting while ensuring financial metrics are met. This role offers hybrid work up to 3 days on-site and opportunities to learn from cross-functional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience with a multi-unit retailer preferred.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and merchandising software.

Responsibilities

• Assist in strategically building assortments that meet financial metrics and excite customers through vendor collaboration and trend analysis.
• Develop business acumen and understand key metrics and levers.
• Maintain and speak to key financials through weekly reporting and summaries.
• Assist in forward planning and in-season execution of the business.
• Own the sample management process: tracking, distributing samples to cross-functional partners.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Time management

Creativity & trend awareness

Travel enthusiasm

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Merchandising software

Microsoft Excel/Office

Job description

Why You’ll Love World Market

You won’t find a store and team like this anywhere else! We're passionate about our mission to delight customers with a unique, ever-changing marketplace of products from around the world. Our assortment is curated with stylish home décor, quality furniture, thoughtful gifts, time-honored handicrafts, and international food and beverage favorites. From handpicked finds to heartfelt teamwork, World Market is where uniqueness isn’t just celebrated—it’s what sets us apart.

Our team means the world to us! We value authenticity, empowerment and respect and we take pride in what we do. If you’re looking for a collaborative, fast-moving environment where your contributions are valued, growth is supported and you can have a little fun—you’ve found it!

When you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Benefits that support health, financial security, and personal life needs. Learn more about benefits and eligibility for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, and more!
• Paid vacation and paid sick time
• 401(k) plan with Roth option and company match
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources to be and do your best
• Sample Sales and up to 30% shopping discount on our unique finds for you and your designated shopper
• Work life balance and work from home flexibility
• Working with a team who thinks the world of you

What You’ll Do:

You will become part of a dynamic Merchandising team and build relationships with external and internal partners as you learn about our business. As an Assistant Buyer, you will be responsible for supporting the Buyer’s activities to drive our business, including developing unique product assortments for our omni-channel business through analysis, trend research and international sourcing.

In this role, you will:

Assist in managing the overall department’s business through assortment planning, reporting, and product reviews

• Assist in strategically building assortments that meet financial metrics and excites our customers through comp shopping, working with vendors, and understanding trends.
• Develop business acumen and demonstrate an understanding of key metrics and levers
• Maintain and speak to key financials through weekly reporting by analyzing and summarizing current business.
• Assist in actively manage the business both in forward planning and in season execution.

Manage the administrative detail of product development planning

• Assist in in Product Review preparation by sample tracking, maintaining quote sheets, and assortment planning
• Assist with providing Inventory Management with final assortment plans and any updates to ensure accuracy.
• Create and maintain Vendor and SKU set up information in merchant operational tools.

• Own the sample management process: tracking, organizing, and distributing samples to cross-functional partners
• Manage vendor relationship: request samples, handle quality assurance issues, organize claims preparation, return to vendor (RTV) process, vendor income support, and track and resolve outstanding issues.
• Audit and proof marketing ads, store signage, and product copy
• Attend vendor meetings in Alameda or domestically as appropriate

Maintain effective communication with cross-functional partners

• Collaborate with Visual and Inventory Management partners to determine product placement, signage needs, and schematic accuracy.
• Communicate product trends and sales projections with Marketing teams to develop effective and compelling marketing strategies
• Manage Ecommerce product database by utilizing merchant operational tools and providing Ecommerce support
• Partner with the Merch Operations team to execute store strategies, updates, and resolve store issues

Hybrid Work Location:

You will spend up to 3 days per week on average at our Alameda, CA Home Office

Experience & Skills You’ll Bring

• Passion for the business
• A high level of critical thinking, agility, and curiosity.
• Strong team collaboration skills and ability to present and verbalize new ideas.
• Resourcefulness and creative problem solving.
• Awareness of the marketplace, trends, and a keen eye for taste.
• An enthusiasm for travel and exploring.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Some experience with a multi-unit retailer in a merchandise capacity preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Microsoft Suite skills and experience with Merchandising software systems
• Ability to lift and move boxes of samples

CA Pay Range is $72,000- $78,000 Annually

If you need reasonable accommodations to complete the on-line application, please contact the Human Resource Department:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

This email address is only to request reasonable accommodation for the application process due to a medical condition.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable laws, which depending on your location may include the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the Los Angeles City Fair Chance Act.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of World Market, LLC. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our associates and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, employment status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.