Assistant Buyer, Plush - San Diego SSC

Event Network•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Event Network is hiring an Assistant Buyer to support merchandising strategies and execute product assortment plans across assigned categories. The role supports the Buyer with product assortment planning, vendor communication, inventory allocation, business analysis, product execution, and day-to-day follow-through. It helps deliver relevant assortments to guests while supporting sales, sales per visitor, margin, SKU productivity, and inventory health. The Assistant Buyer supports product vision, assortment plans, and inventory strategies by helping with product selection, buying activities, financial performance management, order placement, item setup, and vendor follow-up. The role analyzes business performance and provides actionable recommendations, coordinates with vendors and cross-functional teams, and ensures accurate, timely execution of assortment and operational work. The position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, and handling products or samples, with occasional physical tasks involving merchandise and travel as needed to stores, markets, trade shows, and vendors, including for product development.

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 and ability to interpret business performance data and recommend actions.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, including prioritizing work, managing deadlines, and tracking multiple details.
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 and detail-oriented, with a commitment 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 other assortment execution activities.
Analyze sales, sales per visitor, SKU count, inventory, margin, cost of goods sold, 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.
Contribute product performance feedback, market insights, and trend analysis to inform new product development.
Support vendor communication and follow-up on 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 dependable 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 work efficiently and on time across assortment planning, reporting, purchase orders, vendor communication, and business analysis.