Associate Buyer - Travel & Backpacks

Target; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k)

Employee discount

Short term disability

Long term disability

Paid sick leave

Paid national holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

Target in Minneapolis, MN is hiring an Associate Buyer to manage category strategies, vendor relationships, and merchandising decisions within a hybrid work arrangement.

You will analyze market trends, plan assortments, input item descriptions and markdown updates, and help execute the financial plan for your categories.

A four-year degree or equivalent experience is required, with strong financial, strategic and planning skills and merchandising experience preferred.

Qualifications

• A four-year degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong financial, strategic and planning skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with strong analytical, decision-making, and organization skills.
• A performance-driven individual who demonstrates strong initiative and has superior leadership skills.
• Flexibility and resiliency; comfortable working in “grey areas” that are constantly changing.
• Comfortable taking risks, working through change and supporting creative chances.
• 1+ years merchandising experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute advertising plans and strategies for your category via ad item selection, space allocation planning, pricing, ad volume forecasting and productivity analysis.
• Watch market trends, evaluate competitors, plan assortments and coordinate end-to-end promotional activities for the Buyer to review.
• In partnership with product design and sourcing, you will support the Buyer in guiding product development and executing the financial plan for your categories.
• Aligning with cross-functional partners, you will manage communication with vendors to maximize sales and profit.

Skills

Financial skills

Strategic planning

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Organizational skills

Leadership

Adaptability

Risk taking

Merchandising experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The pay range is $58,100.00 - $104,600.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

• Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves.
• 401(k)
• employee discount
• short term disability
• long term disability
• paid sick leave
• paid national holidays
• paid vacation

About Us

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

A role in Buying means working with several diverse vendors to choose the best product mix, both in-store and online. We help determine where to localize, while calibrating market positioning and acting as brand managers. Here, you’ll own a wide SKU count so that your work is varied and challenging. Through cross-functional collaboration, instinct and creativity, you will be the expert on the guest, the market and the competition.

As an Associate Buyer, you’ll execute advertising plans and strategies for your category via ad item selection, space allocation planning, pricing, ad volume forecasting and productivity analysis. You’ll watch market trends, evaluate competitors, plan assortments and coordinate end-to-end promotional activities for the Buyer to review. In addition, you’ll help Buyers with system input of item descriptions and markdown updates, and you’ll generate reports to analyze weekly and monthly category metrics. In partnership with product design and sourcing, you will support the Buyer in guiding product development and executing the financial plan for your categories. Aligning with cross-functional partners, you will manage communication with vendors to maximize sales and profit. Your unique strategic perspective will be integral to Buyers selecting items and assortments.

Core responsibilities are described within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.

About You

• A four-year degree or equivalent experience
• Strong financial, strategic and planning skills
• Entrepreneurial spirit with strong analytical, decision-making, and organization skills
• A performance-driven individual who demonstrates strong initiative and has superior leadership skills
• Flexibility and resiliency; comfortable working in “grey areas” that are constantly changing
• Comfortable taking risks, working through change and supporting creative chances
• 1+ years merchandising experience preferred

This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Target’s needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member’s core role will need to be performed both onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually, depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail]. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.

Application deadline is : 10/01/2026