Assistant Buyer (CONTRACT)

You are a detail-oriented and highly organized Assistant Buyer supporting a fast-paced Purchasing team within a value-driven retail environment. In this role, you will partner closely with Buyers to ensure accurate order execution, strong vendor communication, and efficient product flow across distribution centers. You play a key role in maintaining operational accuracy while helping drive sales, margin, and promotional success.

This position pays: $25-28/hour depending on experience

Location: Emeryville, CA (Monday - Thursday, Friday remote)

What you will be doing:

• Support Buyers with all day-to-day departmental functions
• Assist in writing and processing purchase orders
• Monitor production timelines and ensure fulfillment accuracy
• Track shipping and receiving across four distribution centers
• Manage weekly receipt flow to ensure timely product arrival
• Initiate product recalls when necessary
• Coordinate approved price reductions and resolve cost discrepancies with Accounts Payable
• Track and maintain monthly promotional ad plans
• Partner with Inventory Planning to support forecasting and import management
• Communicate clearly and proactively with vendors and internal stakeholders
• Maintain strong working relationships with vendors, stores, warehouses, and internal departments
• Analyze suggested product reorders and identify process efficiencies
• Review sales by store and SKU to identify hot and slow sellers
• Support vendor negotiations to improve terms and cost structures
• Assist with marketing event planning and promotional execution
• Shop competitors and conduct price checks to understand market positioning
• Identify department trends to support sales and margin goals
• Provide clear communication to stores regarding new items, trends, and operational updates

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or 1–2 years of retail, sales, or related experience
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret sales and performance data
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of leadership
• Resourceful problem-solving skills and a proactive approach
• Positive attitude, adaptability, and team-oriented mindset

For over 50 years, Nelson Connects has empowered employers and job seekers to achieve their unique versions of success. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, compassion, and innovation has made us a trusted partner in connecting jobs, people, and communities. The remarkably talented and dedicated people of Nelson Connects are building on the rich history of this company to define the future of our industry, and we can’t wait to work with you.

We are Nelson Connects, and our purpose is your success.

To learn more about the workplace culture and the position, please apply!

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