Assistant Merchant

MillerKnoll, Inc. in; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Within Reach is hiring an Assistant Merchant to support the Merchandising team in curating a product assortment that aligns with our brand while driving sales and profits. You will report to the Senior Merchant for your category.

The role focuses on supporting procurement, launch, and ongoing maintenance of products, with exposure to cross-functional teams across Digital, Marketing, Planning, Allocations, and Product Development/Sourcing.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in merchandising, planning, or a related role within the design, retail, or home products industry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple workstreams and shifting priorities.
• Technically proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Help manage vendor relationships acting as a primary contact for vendors and designers.
• Monitor product milestones and maintain the product pipeline calendar to ensure deadlines are met.
• Proof catalogs, website content, and advertising materials for accuracy in pricing, dimensions, and specs.
• Review and troubleshoot product return claims and coordinate with vendors.
• Coordinate communication between vendors and the Product Support team to resolve client concerns.

Skills

Merchandising

Vendor management

Project management

Communication

Excel

Detail oriented

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

At Design Within Reach, home comes first. We believe in creating and sourcing pieces that move with you and are meant to be enjoyed over a lifetime - from home to home, generation to generation. For us, that means exceptionally crafted, built-to-last, and beautifully designed furnishings.

Our purpose is design for the good of humankind. It's the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of Design Within Reach means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows Design Within Reach to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

About this opportunity:

We are hiring an Assistant Merchant to join our Merchandising team. As an Assistant Merchant, you'll support our Merchandise team in the curation of a product assortment that represents the tenets of our brand while increasing sales and achieving profit goals. As an Assistant Merchant, you will report to the Senior Merchant for your assigned category.

The role of the Assistant Merchant is to support the Senior Merchant in all aspects of product procurement, launch, and maintenance.

What you'll do:

• Help manage vendor relationships acting as a primary contact for vendors and designers
• Monitor Design Within Reach milestone dates and maintain the product pipeline calendar to ensure all deadlines are met, including SKU builds, product testing and compliance requirements, milestone meetings, and photo sample delivery.
• Proof catalogs, website content, and advertising materials for accuracy, ensuring consistency in pricing, dimensions, and product specifications.
• Review and troubleshoot product return claims, partnering with vendors to resolve issues and manage charge‑back documentation.
• Coordinate communication between vendors and the Product Support team to resolve client concerns, collect detailed product information, and obtain supporting materials as needed.
• Organize communication between Vendor and Product Support team to resolve client concerns, gather product information, and procure supporting materials
• Help with monthly or quarterly product trainings
• Create sales reports for vendor meetings and internal reviews
• Approve Finance costing discrepancies with key cross functional partners
• Maintain awareness of the competitive landscape, conducting and sharing quarterly market and trend analysis with internal stakeholders.
• Work closely with key cross‑functional teams-including Digital, Marketing, Planning, Allocations, and Product Development/Sourcing-recognizing Merchandising as the central hub throughout the product pipeline.
• Research, organize, and manage special projects as assigned, providing analytical and operational support to senior team members.

Job Requirements:

• Strong passion for modern design, furniture, and the home furnishings industry, with an interest in product storytelling and brand integrity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly across internal teams and external partners
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, with a proactive, solution‑oriented mindset
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and shifting priorities
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and effectively manage up in a fast paced environment, prioritization is key!
• Technically proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Dependable, punctual, and accountable, with a strong sense of ownership over responsibilities
• 1+ years of experience in merchandising, planning, or a related role within the design, retail, or home products industry

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. Design Within Reach is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We're committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.