Assistant Buyer, Custom Apparel - San Diego SSC

Event Network•San Diego, CA

20h

About The Position

Event Network is seeking an Assistant Buyer to help bring merchandising strategies to life through product assortment planning, vendor communication, inventory allocation, and execution of assortments across its locations. The role supports the Buyer with business analysis, product execution, vendor follow-up, and recommendations intended to improve sales, per cap, margin, SKU productivity, and inventory health. The Custom Apparel Assistant Buyer supports assortment planning, product selection, vendor coordination, and financial KPI management. The position analyzes business performance, identifies opportunities, and works with cross-functional partners to support accurate, timely execution in a dynamic retail environment. The role calls for curiosity about guests, products, and the business; dependable, clear communication with Buyers, vendors, and partners; and creative, practical thinking to improve product and assortment execution.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in retail merchandising.
Passion for product and a strong understanding of guest demographics, retail environments, and assortment planning.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret business performance data and recommend actions.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, including prioritizing work, managing deadlines, and tracking multiple details simultaneously.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Strong communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
Resourceful, proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
Reliable, detail-oriented, and committed to accurate and efficient work.
Collaborative team player who takes ownership, learns quickly, and follows through.

Responsibilities

Support the Buyer with assortment planning, product selection, buying activities, and financial performance management for assigned categories.
Help execute assortment plans aligned with guest needs, partner identity, category direction, sales goals, SKU targets, inventory objectives, and cost-of-goods-sold targets.
Maintain product knowledge and understanding of guest demographics to support relevant assortments.
Assist with order placement, item setup, vendor follow-up, product information, and related activities to execute assortments accurately and on time.
Analyze sales, per cap, SKU count, inventory, margin, cost of goods, and other business performance metrics.
Identify business successes, risks, and opportunities and provide actionable recommendations to the Buyer.
Help achieve assortment and inventory targets while improving revenue, margin, and productivity.
Monitor inventory health and product performance by store, department, and category, escalating concerns and opportunities.
Communicate and follow up with vendors to address product, order, pricing, delivery, and assortment needs.
Coordinate priorities and timely product delivery with DMMs, SMMs, GMMs, the Creative Center of Excellence, Planning, Purchasing Operations, and store teams.
Build productive relationships with internal partners and vendors through clear communication, responsiveness, and follow-through.
Partner with the Merchandise Coordinator to provide direction and help resolve item setup, purchase order, invoicing, and other operational challenges.
Organize and prioritize projects, deadlines, product details, and follow-up activities in a fluid retail environment.
Produce accurate, efficient, and timely work across assortment planning, reporting, purchase orders, vendor communication, and business analysis.