Overview
Assistant Buyer I is a learning role that allows you to build a foundation of skills for your future career as a merchant. As an ABI, we invest in you through structured training and one-on-one apprenticeship with a skilled Buyer. You will begin to build your product knowledge, operational expertise, concepts of off-price retail, personal leadership skills and understand the customer.
The base salary for this role is $68,000. The salary listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards vary by position and location.
What You Will Do And What You Will Learn
- Perform support activities for the buying team, such as purchase order management and processing markdowns, while building foundational merchant skills and learning the keys to becoming a successful merchant.
- Provide basic analysis of key business data to the Buyer, including the use of retail math to understand the business, monitoring of regional merchandise reports, Open-To-Buy, stock analysis and other ad hoc analysis to project sales and inventory levels.
- Learn the elements of negotiation and how we build relationships with our vendors. Develop effective relationships with vendors by participating in in-person meetings. This includes following up on shipments and resolving problems to ensure product is delivered and processed as directed by the Buyer.
- Begin to effectively utilize and understand the merchandising systems and warehouse process.
- Develop and demonstrate foundational product knowledge through in-person shopping at Ross Stores and at the competition. Utilize product knowledge to communicate to the Buyer new resources.
- Track planned receipt flow on a consistent basis. Display awareness of when merchandise is being received and make call outs to Buyer.
- Support Buyers in preparation of key business meetings (i.e. vendor appointments, style-outs, assortment planning) including formatting of reports.
What You Need To Be Successful
- Strong communication skills: You can read the situation, actively listen, ask clarifying questions, and demonstrate the ability to build relationships.
- Flexibility: You can pivot, are adaptable, and receptive to feedback.
- Results Driven: You are tenacious, and achievement focused. You can prioritize your work and deliver it with accuracy.
- Intellectually curious: You can analyze and draw conclusions, are a critical thinker, and see the big picture.
- Resilient: You are persistent and persuasive. You stay focused on your goals and finding creative solutions to problems.
- Enthusiasm for the product and retail business. Product is the center of what we do. You must have an enthusiasm for the retail business and the product.
- Analytical Mindset: Helping to run a business depends on analysis and retail math.
- Bachelor's Degree required.
Perks And Benefits Of Joining Our Team
- Our Associates are at the heart of everything we do and we're proud to offer a range of benefits that reflect how much we value their contributions. Here's a peek into what you can expect as an eligible Ross Associate:
- A broad range of affordable health insurance options & personal medical plan concierge
- 401(k) with employer match and Life insurance
- Ample PTO including accrued vacation, paid holidays, diversity day, summer Fridays and the ability to purchase additional vacation
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Access to health and wellness benefits such as BetterHelp and Headspace
- Charitable donations matched by Ross Stores Foundation
- And more...
- Note: Eligibility may vary based on level and tenure, subject to change
Seniority level
Employment type
Job function
- Purchasing and Supply Chain
Industries