Assistant Buyer

Variety Wholesalers, Inc.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Variety Wholesalers, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio is seeking a detail-oriented procurement professional to support everyday category operations.

You will create and process purchase orders, research discrepancies, maintain open-to-buy files, coordinate sample processes, and provide calendar-driven administrative support to the division. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or equivalent, 1–3 years of retail experience, and strong communication, organization, and analytical skills;

Qualifications

• Proven ability to communicate clearly and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience handling purchase orders and PO discrepancies.
• Familiarity with retail/merchandising operations is a plus.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills required.
• Self-starter with the ability to work with limited supervision.

Responsibilities

• Create and prepare purchase orders; resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain open-to-buy files and track orders.
• Gather information and prepare presentations, reports, and queries.
• Coordinate end-to-end sample processes for assigned categories.
• Provide administrative support including scheduling and calendar coordination.
• Review quality for pre-ticketing, signage, and marketing accuracy.
• Assist with merchandise planning and presentation development.
• Coordinate attribute sheets and SKU setup; data maintenance.
• Create electronic package requests and assist packaging development.
• Support financial metrics and participate in vendor meetings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Communication

Prioritization

Collaboration

Organization

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Learning new systems

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in business-related field (preferred)

Job description

Responsibilities

1. 1. Creates and prepares purchase orders and ensures they are accurate and complete for input into the system. Researches and resolves purchase order discrepancies or issues.


2. 2. Maintains open to buy files and tracks orders.


3. 3. Collects and researches information. Prepares various presentations, reports, queries, etc. and distributes as needed.


4. 4. Coordinates and ensures the efficient execution of the end-to-end sample process for assigned categories.


5. 5. Provides administrative support for the assigned division and associates as needed including scheduling appointments and maintaining and coordinating calendars to include meetings, lunches, special events, and conference calls.


6. 6. Reviews and ensures quality pre-ticketing, signage, and marketing accuracy.


7. 7. Assists with merchandise and assortment planning and merchandise presentation development.


8. 8. Coordinates attribute sheets and SKU setup, along with data maintenance.


9. 9. Creates electronic package requests and assists with packaging development.


10. 10. Understands and supports the financial metrics of the assigned categories and may participate in vendor meetings and negotiations.


11. 11. Performs other duties as assigned at the discretion of the reporting management team.

Qualifications

1. 1. High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in a business-related field preferred


2. 2. One to three years of retail experience preferred.


3. 3. Strong communication, prioritization, collaboration, and organization skills required.


4. 4. Detail oriented with strong analytical and critical thinking skills required.


5. 5. Systems savvy with the ability to learn new systems quickly.


6. 6. Self-starter with the ability to work under general supervision required.