Associate Merchant - Hot Beverage (Tea)

About the role

The Associate Merchant supports category management by facilitating supplier negotiations, managing purchase orders, and resolving supplier-related issues to ensure accurate product setup across stores and online channels. This role collaborates with cross-functional teams to execute customer communication programs, optimize search results, and implement promotional features. Utilizing data analysis and financial tracking, the Associate Merchant contributes to budgeting, forecasting, and category performance evaluation.

About the team

The team is focused on expanding offerings in the Hot Beverage category both in stores and online, aiming to meet customer needs effectively. Members collaborate to analyze data innovatively, supporting supplier and vendor relationships while driving category strategy. They manage purchase orders, support item setup, and contribute to promotional activities. The team leverages data analysis and visualization tools to inform decisions and improve business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Support supplier negotiations and manage purchase orders for assigned categories.
• Assist merchants in resolving supplier issues and setting up new suppliers for stores and online.
• Execute customer communication and education programs in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure accuracy and quality of product page content and manage search query execution.
• Track category financial performance, support forecasting, budgeting, and sales analysis.
• Develop and implement approved promotional features and modular assortment strategies.
• Leverage data analysis tools to generate insights and support decision-making processes.
• Collaborate with planners and analysts to align inventory purchases with financial plans.

Requirements

• 2 years’ experience in merchandising, buying, financial planning, operations, or related area.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in vendor relationship management and supplier negotiations within retail or related sectors.
• Strong skills in category strategy development and execution to support merchandising goals.
• Proficiency in data analysis and sales analysis to inform decision-making and optimize category performance.
• Ability to manage purchase orders and support item setup for both stores and e-commerce channels.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally to resolve supplier issues and enhance customer experience.
• Competence in budgeting, forecasting, and tracking financial performance against targets.
• Effective project management skills to support feature planning and promotional activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Experience negotiating with third-party suppliers.
• Experience in pricing, site merchandising, planning, or inventory, or related area.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Merchandising.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance-based bonus awards.
• Health benefits including medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits including 401(k), stock purchase, and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off including PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Company discounts.
• Military Leave Pay.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Live Better U education benefit program covering tuition, books, and fees for high school completion, bachelor’s degrees, English Language Learning, and short-form certificates.

Pay

The annual salary range for this position is $70,000.00 - $130,000.00. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses and stock for certain positions.

701 Respect Dr, Bentonville, AR 72716, United States of America