Assistant Buyer – Art & School Supplies

University Co-Op•Austin, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Buyer is a non-exempt role reporting to the Director of Course Material Programs. The position is accountable for product setup, purchasing, vendor coordination, and inventory management, with a primary focus on school and art supplies. Supporting the Co-op’s mission of student affordability and access, the Assistant Buyer partners with UT faculty, departments, vendors, and internal teams to ensure accurate course supply lists, timely product availability, and efficient operations. The role proactively resolves and escalates issues, provides cross-functional support, cross-trains to back up the course materials team, and assumes greater decision-making responsibility as experience grows. The position is onsite, with flexibility for hybrid work on occasion. Work is Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and/or weekends during busy times. The work environment includes a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation, outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind, and travel to events, vendors, and industry conferences as needed.

Requirements

1–2 years of relevant experience in buying, purchasing, inventory, or retail operations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and basic reporting.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities in a seasonal environment.
Effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to communicate the Co-op’s mission of student affordability and access and build strong faculty partnerships.
Willingness and ability to cross-train and support the course materials team as needed.
Ability to identify and escalate issues in a fast-paced retail environment.
Ability to move objects up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, or a related field preferred.
Experience in course materials, school supplies, art supplies, or specialty retail preferred.
Experience with NetSuite or other ERP systems preferred.
Understanding of merchandising principles, inventory management, and product lifecycle processes preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure supply assortments are complete, available, and well merchandised for each phase of the academic selling season in partnership with store operations.
Coordinate with Course Materials Associates to resolve adoption issues and product availability concerns.
Build and maintain UT faculty and department relationships to ensure accurate, timely course supply lists that support student affordability and access.
Respond to faculty and customer inquiries and product requests, and route special orders as directed.
Ensure accurate and timely purchase orders, replenishment, and product setup, including pricing and categorization.
Manage daily purchasing and ordering, recommending product, vendor, and pricing decisions for Director approval.
Maintain accurate product and vendor data, including pricing and item attributes.
Manage vendor communications concerning order status, backorders, pricing updates, and shipment or invoice discrepancies.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and product alternatives that support student affordability and access.
Monitor and report on sales, margins, and inventory to support purchasing, budget, and markdown decisions.
Proactively identify and escalate risks, discrepancies, and opportunities affecting product availability and flow.
Cross-train and support the course materials team as needed.