Assistant Merchant - Data-Driven Category Growth (Hybrid)

Northern Tool + Equipment; Burnsville (MN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Competitive pay 59,600–85,000 with 401

Benefits package

Job summary

Northern Tool + Equipment is seeking an Assistant Merchant to drive sales and profitability across assigned categories, collaborating with cross-functional teams in a hybrid work model. Your top priority will be to support category management, assortment planning, and promotional execution while leveraging data to optimize performance across stores and ecommerce channels.

Ideal candidates have 1-3 years in merchandising or related fields, strong Excel and Power BI skills, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in merchandising, category management, buying, retail, inventory planning, marketing, or a related business function preferred.
• Experience analyzing business performance, inventory, pricing, promotions, or customer trends.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and make business recommendations.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the Merchant in achieving sales, margin, inventory turn, and profitability objectives for assigned categories.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory trends, pricing, customer demand, and competitive activity to identify risks and growth opportunities.
• Prepare category reviews, business analyses, and performance summaries.
• Monitor key category metrics and provide recommendations to improve category performance.
• Assist the Merchant with product assortment planning, line reviews, SKU setup, and category maintenance.
• Coordinate new item creation, product updates, and supplier information to ensure accurate system setup.
• Support the introduction of new products and category initiatives according to established project timelines.
• Research industry trends, customer preferences, and competitive offerings to support assortment decisions.
• Assist in developing and executing promotional plans, seasonal programs and digital marketing activities.
• Partner with Merchandising Analysts to evaluate promotional pricing, power buys, featured products, and special offers.
• Monitor promotional performance and provide analysis and recommendations for future improvements.
• Support merchandising execution across stores, ecommerce, email, and other sales channels.
• Coordinate with key internal and external partners to support category initiatives.
• Help manage project timelines and communicate requirements for product launches, promotions, and assortment changes.
• Ensure marketing assets, product content, images, videos, and merchandising materials are complete, accurate, and delivered on schedule.
• Maintain regular communication with suppliers regarding products, costs, promotions, inventory, and operational needs.
• Conduct and assist in vendor meetings, business reviews, and negotiation materials.
• Manage and support the management of vendor marketing funds, promotional opportunities along with monitoring supplier performance and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Partner with inventory planning to support inventory productivity and product availability and increase profitability.
• Support forecasting, open-to-buy activities, and inventory planning efforts.
• Identify opportunities to improve merchandising processes, reporting, tools, and workflows.
• Leverage data and business insights to recommend efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist the Merchant in developing annual business plans and long-term category growth strategies.
• Stay informed on customer trends, market developments, and competitive activity.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Merchandising

Category management

Data analysis

Price optimization

Forecasting

Power BI

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Northern Tool + Equipment is seeking an Assistant Merchant to drive sales and profitability across assigned categories, collaborating with cross-functional teams in a hybrid work model. Your top priority will be to support category management, assortment planning, and promotional execution while leveraging data to optimize performance across stores and ecommerce channels.

Ideal candidates have 1-3 years in merchandising or related fields, strong Excel and Power BI skills, and the ability to