Merchandising Assistant, Direct

Your Role...

The Team Merchandising Assistant is a key support resource for the Category Management team and Director of Merchandising, assisting with all aspects of buying, merchandising, vendor, and category initiatives. This includes maintaining SKU-level accuracy across all selling channels, supporting buying decisions and sales analysis, and ensuring the successful execution of merchandising initiatives.  The Merchandising Assistant will play a key role in maintaining our team’s standards and supporting our team, jumping in on strategic projects whenever needed.

 

This role offers hands-on experience with buying, analytics, SKU maintenance, product implementation, and cross-functional teams, providing a strong foundation for a career in merchandising or buying. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and brings retail leadership experience, creativity, and a passion for art materials.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Support all merchandising and buying functions, ensuring accurate assortment, sales growth, and effective execution of initiatives.
• Assist Director of Merchandising in maintaining and cleaning merchandise data.
• Provide reporting, analytics, and executive presentations as needed.
• Assist with product implementation and promotions, including vendor follow-up, copy and pricing approvals, and content accuracy across web, print, and retail channels.
• When needed coordinate, request and save vendor product images for web and catalogue
• Ensure vendor compliance with quality, packaging, labeling, and regulatory standards (MSDS/SDS, CPSIA).
• Assist in resolving internal and external product inquiries, including pricing, quality, or supply issues.
• Monitor back orders, product reviews, and merchandising standards to maintain accuracy and consistency.
• Provide general support for special projects, cross-functional initiatives, and category management tasks, including backup support for the Category Managers.
• Create Product Set Up cards as needed, and work with web teams on any direct initiatives.
• Assist onsite during store setups, resets, or merchandising projects as needed.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Marketing, Customer Service, and Stores to ensure smooth communication and execution of merchandising strategies.

Skills

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical mindset, including interest in reporting, data analysis, and retail math to support merchandising decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas) and PowerPoint. If not yet proficient, must be willing and able to learn quickly.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, with the capacity to think both creatively and analytically.
• Solid understanding of retail store operations and store leadership environments.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced retail environment and shift priorities as business needs evolve.
• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, work ethic, and a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Flexibility to support key retail initiatives, including occasional travel, overnight work, or weekend schedules, and standing for long periods during store resets or new store openings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preffered.
• Minimum 2+ years in retail leadership; Blick retail experience preferred or comparable retail experience.
• Experience merchandising in stores, including product resets, clearance processes, and visual merchandising.
• Proficiency with merchandising systems, reporting tools, Microsoft Excel, and Outlook
• Must be interested in merchandising and buying.
• Interest in or knowledge of the arts, art education, or art materials is a MUST
• Required to be in Highland Park on Mondays and Thursdays each week.

Travel

This role requires moderate domestic travel including overnights and occasional weekends

 

Pay Rate:

The pay range below is provided in compliance with state/city specific laws. This pay range applies to this location. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

• $50,000 - $60,000 per year based on experience, plus incentives

Benefits Include