Summer 2027 Intern - Assistant Buyer (Merchandise Buying)

Belk; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Belk invites rising college seniors to join its Summer Internship Program in Charlotte, NC, focusing on merchandising analytics and buying. You’ll shadow a buyer and assistant buyer, learn advertising, offers, and how to analyze reports to optimize a multi-million‑dollar business over a 10‑week summer assignment.

You will relocate to Charlotte for the summer, gain exposure to senior leaders, and participate in professional development workshops, social events, and structured projects that reveal

Qualifications

• Rising college senior planning to graduate in December 2027 or Spring 2028.
• GPA of 3.2 or higher preferred.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship by Belk now or in the future.
• Skills: career direction and motivation, professionalism, adaptability, drive for results, critical thinking, using data insights to influence decisions.
• Ability to balance creativity with data-driven decision making.
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office with strong reporting to analyze business performance.

Responsibilities

• Learn how to manage a multi-million-dollar business and drive profitability of the buying office/department.
• Shop retail market to identify assortment, trends and pricing opportunities based on competitive landscape.
• Prepare materials for merchant line reviews.
• Assist in recapping, finalizing, and communicating style placement to cross-functional teams, agents, and vendors.
• Provide business support through report generation and analysis of business results.
• Support cross-functional teams which may include acquiring samples, developing item descriptions, and providing additional information.
• Present selling recaps to managers on best and worst sellers.

Skills

Excel proficiency

MS Office

Data analysis

Creativity with data

Adaptability

Education

Rising college senior graduating Dec 2027 or Spring 2028

Tools

JDA

ERAM

S5

Job description

Internship Program Overview

As a participant in the Belk Summer Internship Program, you will gain real word experience and exposure to various functional areas of merchandising. You will focus on analyzing business trends while assisting and shadowing a buyer and assistant buyer. Buying interns will learn key areas of the role including but not limited to advertising, purchase offers, analyzing reports, maintaining merchandise information, vendor relations and understanding the customer. The Internship Program provides exposure to senior leaders, professional development workshops, structured assignments and social events over the 10 weeks in the summer. Interns will leave understanding the complexity of big box department stores and the excitement of the retail and ecommerce industry. Interns will be required to relocate to Charlotte, NC for the summer,

What You Will Do

• Learn how to manage a multi-million-dollar business and drive the profitability of your buyingoffice/department
• Shop retail market to identify assortment, incoming trends and pricing opportunities based on competitivelandscape
• Prepare materials for merchant line review
• Assist in recapping, finalizing, and communicating style placement to cross functional development teams, agents, and vendors
• Provide business support through report generation and analysis of business results
• Support cross functional teams as necessary which may include acquiring samples, developing item descriptions, and providing additional information
• Present selling recaps to managers on best and worst sellers

Required Qualifications

• Rising college senior planning to graduate in December 2027 or Spring 2028
• Desired majors:
  • Apparel Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, Retail Management, Marketing Analytics
• Proven strong academic performer (GPA of 3.2 or higher preferred)
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and not require work authorizationsponsorship by Belk forthis position now or in the future
• Skills and Abilities: career direction and motivation, professionalism, adaptability, driven for results, critical thinking, ability to leverage data insights to influence decisions, initiative
• Ability to balance creativity with data-driven decision-making
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office applicationswith strong understanding of formulas, functions, and reporting to analyze business performance.

Preferred Qualfiications

• Previous retail experience
• Familiarity with retail systems a plus; JDA, ERAM, S5, etc.
• Strong understanding of Retail Math and Terminology
• Relevant coureswork: Merchandise Buying & Planning, Assortment Analysis, Trend Forecasting, Data Analysis & Reporting, Consumer Behavior Analytics, Retail Merchandising, Fashion/Product Fundamentals, Product Analysis, Business Analytics, Supply Chain, and Marketing Fundamentals