Assistant Buyer

VIOLET GREY; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

VIOLET GREY is seeking an Assistant Merchandiser to support new brand launches, product management, and cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced luxury beauty environment. You will partner with Merchandising, Planning, E-commerce, Marketing, Retail, Education, and Operations to ensure seamless product launches and optimized ongoing business.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, commercially minded, and comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of merchandising, buying, e-commerce, retail, or related field.
• Beauty, luxury, or fashion experience preferred.
• Strong Excel skills for data management and reporting.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication; comfortable with external brand partners.
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to work in a fast-paced cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end execution of new brand and product launches, including timelines, samples, product information, SKU setup, and opening orders.
• Coordinate committee testing, tester needs, and brand sample outreach and follow-up.
• Collect and maintain accurate product data, pricing, UPCs, and SKU information across internal systems.
• Partner with Site, E-commerce, Planning, and Operations teams to ensure products launch-ready.
• Track launch requirements and follow up on outstanding items or delays.
• Manage product imagery and asset collection for launches.
• Coordinate PDP updates, packaging changes, and product name updates.
• Coordinate and implement retail price changes across internal systems.
• Support product swaps, SKU changes, and assortment updates.
• Maintain accurate product information across internal systems and communicate updates.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Tools

NetSuite

Shopify

Excel

Job description

Company Description

VIOLET GREY is a luxury beauty retailer focused on becoming the global leader in prestige beauty. The company combines elevated original content—including celebrity features, expert lifestyle insights, and professional beauty tutorials—with a curated selection of top-tier products. Every item is carefully vetted by leading artists and specialists and approved by The VIOLET CODE, ensuring a high standard of quality and efficacy. VIOLET GREY delivers a distinct cosmetic wardrobe for clients who value expert guidance and refined beauty experiences. Team members join a brand that is deeply connected to the beauty industry and committed to setting standards for excellence.

Role Description

The Assistant Merchant will support the Merchandising team across new brand launches, product management, brand relationships, sales performance, and cross-functional initiatives. This role will be highly executional and detail-oriented, partnering closely with the Merchant, Planning, E-commerce, Marketing, Retail, Education, and Operations teams to ensure products launch seamlessly and existing business is maintained and optimized. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, commercially minded, and comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines across a fast-moving environment.

Responsiblities

New Product & Launch Management

• Support the end-to-end execution of new brand and product launches, including timelines, samples, product information, SKU setup, and opening orders.
• Coordinate committee testing, tester needs, and brand sample outreach and follow-up.
• Collect and maintain accurate product data, pricing, UPCs, and SKU information across internal systems and trackers.
• Partner with Site, E-commerce, Planning, and Operations teams to ensure products are fully launch-ready.
• Track launch requirements and proactively follow up on outstanding items or potential delays.

Product & Site Management

• Manage product imagery and asset collection, ensuring all required materials are received and uploaded ahead of launch.
• Coordinate with E-commerce team on PDP updates, packaging changes, product name updates, and re-assorts.
• Coordinate and implement retail price changes across internal systems, ensuring pricing is accurate and updates are communicated to relevant teams and brand partners.
• Support product swaps, SKU changes, and assortment updates.
• Maintain accurate product information across internal systems and ensure updates are communicated to relevant teams.

Business & Brand Management

• Monitor sales performance across existing and new products, supporting reporting on top and emerging brands.
• Assist with assortment optimization, including re-assorts, SKU phase-outs, and identifying opportunities based on performance.
• Manage day-to-day brand communication and follow-up on merchandising, inventory, and operational needs.
• Partner with Planning, Finance, and Operations on POs, inventory issues, RTVs, credit memos, and other business needs.
• Surface relevant new brands, products, and market trends to the Merchandising team.

Retail, Marketing & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with Retail and Education to coordinate product training, samples, and educational materials.
• Support the development of decks and materials for retail meetings, business reviews, and brand presentations.
• Manage brand outreach for marketing and content assets, including sell sheets, product claims, clinical data, and other supporting materials.
• Support in-store events, marketing initiatives, and other cross-functional projects as needed.

Market & New Brand Development

• Coordinate Market appointments and support preparation for brand meetings.
• Conduct post-Market follow-ups and maintain organized brand decks and materials.
• Maintain Market and NPD planning trackers and ensure new opportunities are properly logged.
• Manage smaller brand calls and initial follow-ups as needed.
• Research emerging brands, products, and market trends to support new business development.

Systems & Team Support

• Maintain accurate merchandising trackers, calendars, and reporting tools.
• Utilize internal systems including NetSuite, Shopify, Bynder, and OneDrive to maintain product information and support day-to-day merchandising operations.
• Provide ad hoc support on merchandising projects, presentations, and reporting as needed.
• Track outstanding requests and follow up with internal teams and brand partners to ensure deadlines are met.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in merchandising, buying, e-commerce, retail, or a related field; beauty, luxury, or fashion experience preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, data management, and reporting.
• Experience with NetSuite, Shopify, or other ERP/e-commerce systems strongly preferred.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort working with external brand partners.
• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Strong interest in beauty, luxury, retail, and emerging brands.