Assistant Buyer, Apparel

Rural King•Mattoon, IL

1d•$22 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 150 locations across 17 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store. One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support. At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Merchandising, Design, Business, Marketing, or related field required.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel & Outlook), familiarity with procurement software is a plus
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Demonstrated ability to actively listen, ask relevant questions, and provide thorough and articulate responses.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
Proven track record of consistently producing error-free work and meeting quality standards
Ability to maintain a seated or standing position for extended durations.
Capability to lift 15 pounds periodically.
Ability to navigate and access all facilities.
Skill to effectively communicate verbally with others, both in-person and via electronic devices.
Close vision for computer-related activities.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in an administrative or purchasing support role preferred
familiarity with procurement software is a plus

Responsibilities

Perform support activities for the buying team, such as purchase order management and processing markdowns, while building foundational merchant skills and learning the keys to becoming a successful merchant.
Provide basic analysis of key business data to the Buyer, including the use of retail math to understand the business, monitoring of regional merchandise reports, stock analysis, and other ad-hoc analysis to project sales and inventory levels.
Assist with the preparation and analysis of procurement reports and spreadsheets
Populating product candidates for Marketing review and execution
Responsible for visual line and merchandise list, and works within Merchandise systems to set up and maintain all SKUs.
Develop effective relationships with vendors, which include following up on shipments and resolving problems to ensure the product is delivered and processed as directed by the Buyer.
Maintain strong, positive relationships with cross-functional partners across inventory, design, development, e-commerce, and creative teams
Organize and maintain vendor contact information and contract files
Support buyers in scheduling meetings, preparing presentations, and coordinating product samples
Help ensure compliance with purchasing policies and procedures
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%
Healthcare plans to support your needs
Virtual doctor visits
Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program
15% Associate Discount
Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program
Associate Assistance Program
RK Cares Associate Hardship Program
24/7 Chaplaincy Services
Company paid YMCA Family Membership