Assistant Buyer

Helzberg Diamonds Shops, Inc.; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Helzberg Diamonds Shops, Inc. seeks a merchandising assistant to gain experience in assortment planning, content development, and vendor negotiations across departments and SKUs.

You will learn to analyze financial impact, support marketing strategies, and collaborate with internal partners and external vendors. You will assist with product development, catalog content, pricing, and store communications, while coordinating with buyers, planners, and the E‑Commerce team to ensure consistent brand

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field required.
• Minimum of three years of related retail experience required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Strong retail math and organizational skills required.
• Proficiency with Word and Excel required.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing business strategies are essential.
• Hybrid schedule with onsite attendance three+ days per week.

Responsibilities

• Assist Buyer with assortment development and content for assigned categories.
• Manage the product development process, samples and test programs.
• Assist Marketing in selecting product, pricing, layout and item descriptions for catalogs and proofs.
• Collaborate with merchandise planners to achieve gross margin and ROI targets.
• Generate weekly reports for the buying team and provide ad hoc analyses.
• Maintain vendor relationships and sourcing for new items; ensure delivery timelines.
• Support store openings and special events; assist with store transactions as needed.
• Coordinate with E‑Commerce on merchandise for the website and photography quality.
• Lead visual merchandising projects to ensure appealing store layouts and consistent standards.
• Provide backup support to DVP or Buyer as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Retail math

Organizational skills

Flexibility/adaptability

Relationship building

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Gain buying and assortment planning experience at the department, class, and sku level. Develop skills in building assortments, negotiating, pricing, planning, and marketing. Understand the financial impact of merchandising and start developing financial acumen. The incumbent works with internal partners in Marketing to support the merchandising and marketing strategies. The incumbent should begin to develop relationship building skills to work effectively with external merchandise vendors.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Assist Buyer with assortment development and content for assigned categories.
2. Manage the product development process, samples and test programs.
3. Assist Marketing in selecting product, pricing, layout and item descriptions for assigned categories for catalogs and proof for correct studio photos, realistic color and accurate copy and pricing. Provide merchandise assistance for special events.
4. Work with merchandise planners on assigned categories to achieve planned gross margin and return on investment.
5. Generate weekly reports for the buying team and provide ad hoc reporting and analysis as required.
6. Assist with maintaining relationships with vendors regarding costs and sourcing new items. Ensure vendors meet delivery expectations.
7. Execute assigned merchandise events and develop communications for stores. Provide support to stores such as assistance with specific transactions and store openings as needed.
8. Work with E-Commerce team regarding merchandise for website, ensure quality photographs are available and assist with resolving issues with special orders.
9. Lead visual merchandise projects to create visually appealing layouts and communicate consistent standards for stores.
10. Provide support to DVP or Buyer as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• A minimum of three years of related retail experience required.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills required, along with strong retail math and organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills required, including Word and Excel.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing business strategies and direction a must, along with demonstrated product knowledge and taste level.
• Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers.