Merchandise Assistant (Buying Department)

The Paper Store; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

TPS Group Holdings LLC is seeking a Merchandise Assistant for on-site work at our Acton, MA offices. You will support Buyers, assist with product development, vendor partnerships, and merchandising strategy, while gaining exposure to e-commerce and inventory management.

This role offers a fast-paced, collaborative environment in a growing multi-brand retail group. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree in business or fashion merchandising, advanced Excel skills, and strong organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, fashion merchandising, retail management, or related field.
• Advanced Excel skills including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis and reporting.
• Strong organization, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Be a TPS brand ambassador across teams and partners.
• Monitor warehouse, shipping, and packing issues to ensure timely product flow.
• Collaborate with E-Commerce to set up and merchandize products on the digital site.
• Maintain SKU data, pricing, and product images; manage purchase orders.
• Communicate with vendors on PO changes, shipments, and samples.
• Work with Accounts Payable, Planning, Distribution, and Fulfillment to resolve issues.
• Create sales and inventory reports for Buyers (sales recaps, on-order status).
• Organize merchandise samples and coordinate photography and meetings.
• Support Marketing with product details for catalogs and seasonal campaigns.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Fashion Merchandising

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PO/ERP system

Job description

TPS Group Holdings, a family of brands including The Paper Store and Uncharted, is dedicated to creating destinations that inspire, delight, and surprise. Our mission is to connect with every customer through carefully chosen products, immersive shopping experiences, and service that goes the extra mile.

Job Overview: Are you passionate about products, trends, and the behind-the-scenes work that brings great merchandise to life? As a Merchandise Assistant, you'll gain hands-on experience in the exciting world of retail buying while supporting multiple Buyers in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This role offers exposure to product development, vendor partnerships, merchandising strategy, e-commerce, marketing, and inventory management, making it an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in buying.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Be a TPS brand ambassador
• Monitor and resolve warehouse, shipping, and packing issues in coordination with logistics and vendors to ensure timely and accurate product flow.
• Partner with the E-Commerce team to ensure all assigned products are accurately set up, updated, and merchandised on the digital site.
• Maintain accurate SKU and item data in the system, including descriptions, attributes, pricing, and product images. Enter and modify purchase orders across multiple departments, handling delivery extensions, cost and retail changes, cancellations, and follow-ups on late or upcoming shipments.
• Serve as a key point of contact for vendors, managing communication related to PO changes, shipment statuses, compliance, and sample coordination.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams including Accounts Payable, Planning, Distribution, and Fulfillment Centers to resolve PO and inventory issues.
• Create and run reporting for Buyers such as sales recaps, on-order status, and inventory summaries.
• Organize and maintain merchandise samples and sample areas, coordinating timely delivery for photography, style outs, and strategic meetings.
• Partner with Marketing to provide product details for promotional content, support signage needs, and ensure alignment across seasonal campaigns and catalogs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis, and reporting.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple priorities, competing requests, and shifting business needs.
• Demonstrated ability to pivot quickly, think critically, identify root causes, and proactively resolve issues.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external vendor partners.
• Ability to learn, assess, and navigate multiple systems efficiently and accurately. A team-player mindset with a willingness to adapt, support others, and contribute to shared goals and deadlines.
• Ability to work on-site at our Corporate Office in Acton, MA a minimum of four (4) days per week. This is a highly collaborative role.

TPS Group Holdings LLC is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law.

This range reflects what the company reasonably expects to pay for this position at this location at the time of this posting.