Assistant Merchant (Assistant Category Manager)

Clark Associates; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Dental

PTO

Paid Maternity Leave

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Disability

401(k) matching

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Incentives

Company Discounts

AT&T & Verizon Discount

Bonus Opportunities

Job summary

Clark Associates is seeking an Assistant Merchant in Lancaster, PA to support category management through operational and analytical tasks. You will help maintain product data, coordinate with vendors, and contribute to reporting and analysis that informs decision-making.

Working closely with Merchants and Senior Merchants, you will assist in pricing strategies, vendor programs, and catalog alignment, while identifying process improvements and ensuring data consistency across systems.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Shows interest in and proficiency with vendor communication and negotiation.
• Intermediate knowledge of product materials, features, and attributes.
• Ability to identify category or data issues and elevate appropriately.
• Intermediate analytical skills with ability to interpret reports and trends.
• Proficiency in Excel and data systems (Power BI).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with accuracy and timeliness.
• Demonstrates initiative and resilience, working independently to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Support category management activities within assigned segments.
• Assist in executing category and vendor gap-fill initiatives.
• Maintain and execute on product data, pricing strategies and merchant plans.
• Track program details: signatures/uploads, rebate payments/follow-ups, carrying percentages for accuracy.
• Assist with vendor communications and documentation.
• Compile and analyze basic reports on sales, margins, and inventory.
• Coordinate item setup, samples, and catalog updates.
• Monitor assigned categories and highlight risks or opportunities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Vendor negotiation

Analytical skills

Excel

Power BI

Multi-tasking

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Job Summary

The Assistant Merchant supports the performance of an assigned product segment or category by executing operational and analytical tasks that enable successful category management. This role assists merchant vertical leadership in the development and execution of category strategies by maintaining accurate product data, supporting vendor coordination/conversations, and contributing to reporting and analysis that inform decision-making.

The Assistant Merchant supports the performance of an assigned product segment or category by executing operational and analytical tasks that enable successful category management. This role assists merchant vertical leadership in the development and execution of category strategies by maintaining accurate product data, supporting vendor coordination/conversations, and contributing to reporting and analysis that inform decision-making. Working closely with Merchants and Senior Merchants, the Assistant Merchant helps ensure that vendor programs, pricing strategy updates, and product assortments are executed effectively and aligned with overall catalog and category objectives. This role plays a critical part in maintaining operational excellence by identifying discrepancies, supporting process improvements, and ensuring consistency across systems and channels. The Assistant Merchant contributes to delivering value to customers by supporting initiatives that improve product visibility, pricing accuracy, and overall category performance while building foundational knowledge of merchandising strategy and vendor management under the tutelage of the Sr. Merchandising Manager overseeing the vertical.

Responsibilities

• Support category management activities within assigned segments


• Bring attention to and assist in executing category and vendor gap-fill initiatives


• Maintain and execute on product data, pricing strategies and merchant plans


• Assist in program details: track program follow-through (signatures/uploads), rebate payments/follow-ups, and carrying percentages to ensure accuracy.


• Assist with vendor communications and documentation


• Compile and analyze basic reports on sales, margins, and inventory


• Coordinate item setup, samples, and catalog updates


• Monitor assigned categories and highlight risks, underperforming areas or opportunities for improvement.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.


• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.


• Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.


• Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.


• Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.

Remote Work Qualifications

• Access to a reliable and secure high-speed internet connection. Cable or fiber internet connections (at least 75mbps download/10mbps upload) are preferred, as satellite connections often cannot support the technologies used to perform day-to-day tasks.


• Access to a home router and modem.


• A dedicated home office space that is noise- and distraction-free. The space should have strong wireless connection or a wired Ethernet connection (wired connection is preferred, if possible).


• A valid, physical address (apartment, suite, etc.). PO Boxes are not supported, as a physical address is required for you to receive your computer equipment.


• The desire and ability to work and communicate with other team members via chat, webcam, etc.


• Legal residents of one of the following states: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY). H-1B Visa Sponsorship Not Available, W2 only.

Experience

• 0-2 years of experience in a similar role or related work such as category manager or buyer

Education

This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.

Desired Traits & Skills

• Strong organizational and communication skills


• Shows interest in and proficiency with vendor communication and negotiation


• Intermediate knowledge of product materials, features, and attributes


• Ability to identify category or data issues and elevate appropriately


• Intermediate analytical skills with ability to interpret reports and trends


• Proficiency in Excel and data systems (Power BI)


• Ability to manage multiple tasks with accuracy and timeliness


• Demonstrates initiative and a willingness to take on challenges, showing resilience when facing obstacles. Builds confidence in working independently and contributes to achieving assigned goals.

Company Overview

A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark’s distribution methods in the food service industry.

Benefits

• Medical


• Vision


• Dental


• PTO


• Paid Maternity Leave


• Paid Parental Leave


• Life Insurance


• Disability


• Dependent Care FSA


• 401(k) matching


• Employee Assistance Program


• Wellness Incentives


• Company Discounts


• AT&T & Verizon Discount


• Bonus Opportunities


• Accident Insurance


• Critical Illness Insurance


• Adoption Assistance

Available at HQ Locations Only

• On-Site Fitness Centers


• Dog-friendly Offices