Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer

Missouri State University; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri State University seeks a Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer for its bookstore. This full-time position involves managing the sales floor layout, supporting inventory needs, training staff, and ensuring top-notch customer service in the Clothing/Soft Goods department.

Qualifications

• Requires three years of retail experience with two years in visual merchandising.
• Must have experience in inventory control and supervisory roles.
• Effective communication and organizational skills necessary.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the layout of the clothing and souvenir sales floor.
• Train student and part-time staff to support department needs.
• Assist with buying responsibilities and manage inventory control.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational ability

Retail experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The first date of consideration is May 13, 2025, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Position Information

Position Title

Work Location

Work Location Springfield Campus

Department

Department Bookstore

HR Home Department

HR Home Department 085000 BOOKSTORE

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 12

Proposed Salary

Proposed Salary $15.28 - $18.75/hour

Sponsorship Information

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees?

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees? No, Position is available to all applicants.

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Full Time Regular

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

General Function

The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer is responsible for the layout of the clothing and souvenir sales floor, keeping the Clothing/Soft Goods Manager updated on inventory needs, and responsible to train student and part-time staff to support the needs of the department. The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer is responsible for merchandising and customer service in Clothing/Soft Goods department for the bookstore, all outside venues including but not limited to athletic locations and all other specified events. The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer assists the manager with buying responsibilities, including reorders of merchandise, performs inventory control, handles special/department orders, including returns and exchanges, processes clothing and soft goods invoices, resolves discrepancies, and provides great customer service. #LI-CP1

General Function The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer is responsible for the layout of the clothing and souvenir sales floor, keeping the Clothing/Soft Goods Manager updated on inventory needs, and responsible to train student and part-time staff to support the needs of the department. The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer is responsible for merchandising and customer service in Clothing/Soft Goods department for the bookstore, all outside venues including but not limited to athletic locations and all other specified events. The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer assists the manager with buying responsibilities, including reorders of merchandise, performs inventory control, handles special/department orders, including returns and exchanges, processes clothing and soft goods invoices, resolves discrepancies, and provides great customer service. #LI-CP1

Description of Primary Duties

The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer is responsible for the layout of the clothing and souvenir sales floor, keeping the Clothing/Soft Goods Manager updated on inventory needs, and responsible to train student and part-time staff to support the needs of the department. The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer is responsible for merchandising and customer service in Clothing/Soft Goods department for the bookstore, all outside venues including but not limited to athletic locations and all other specified events. The Visual Merchandiser/Assistant Buyer assists the manager with buying responsibilities, including reorders of merchandise, performs inventory control, handles special/department orders, including returns and exchanges, processes clothing and soft goods invoices, resolves discrepancies, and provides great customer service.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education: A high school diploma or the equivalent is required.

Experience: Three years of retail experience is required including at least two years of visual merchandising experience, at least two years of buying experience, and inventory control experience. Two years working in a supervisory role is preferred.

Skills: Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are required. Organizational ability is required. Knowledge of working with spreadsheets and MS Office programs is required. Familiarity in Photoshop, Illustrator, or other visual design tools is preferred. Experience in supervising student workers is preferred.

Additional Qualifications

Link to Job Description

Link to Job Description http://www.missouristate.edu/human/jobdescriptions/21699.htm

Open Date

Open Date 04/17/2025

Close Date (If Close Date is blank then the posting is considered open until filled)

Special Instructions to Applicants

The first date of consideration is May 13, 2025, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Non-Discrimination Statement

Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.


This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, [e-mail] , 417-836-4252.

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this vacancy?
  • Indeed
  • Linkedin
  • Missouri State University Website
  • Google
  • Employee Referral
  • Job Alerts
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Personal Contacts / Networking
  • Job Board (CareerBuilder.com, Monster, etc.)
  • Other
• * Please specify the recruitment source where you located this posting. If you selected Employee Referral above, please list the name of the current MSU employee who referred you.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have three years of retail experience?
  • Yes, I have three or more years exerience.
  • No, I do not have three years of retail experience.
• * Do you have at least 2 years of visual merchandising experience? Please expand on what this experience includes.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have a minimum of two years buying and inventory control experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least 2 years of experience in the direction supervision of others?
  • Yes
  • No
Required Documents
• Resume
• Cover Letter
Optional Documents
• Unofficial Transcripts - 1
• Letter of Recommendation-1 (Non-confidential)
• Letter of Recommendation-2 (Non-confidential)
If you have questions:
Office of Human Resources
(t)417-836-5102
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


If you have student employment questions:
Student Employment Services
(t)417-836-5627
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.