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 works with UT faculty, departments, vendors, and internal teams to maintain accurate course supply lists, ensure timely product availability, and support efficient operations. The role proactively resolves and escalates issues, provides cross-functional support, cross-trains to back up the course materials team, and takes on greater decision-making responsibility as experience grows. The position supports supply assortment readiness and merchandising through the academic selling season; builds faculty and department relationships; responds to inquiries and product requests; and supports accurate purchase orders, replenishment, product setup, pricing, and categorization. The Assistant Buyer maintains product and vendor data, coordinates vendor communications, identifies cost-saving opportunities and alternatives, and monitors sales, margins, and inventory to support purchasing, budget, and markdown decisions. The role is onsite, with occasional hybrid flexibility. Work is generally Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and/or weekends during busy periods. The work environment is a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation, and may also involve outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind. Travel to events, vendors, and industry conferences may be needed. Physical demands include repetitive motions involving the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; prolonged standing or sitting; moving about to accomplish tasks or between worksites; communicating with others; and light work involving objects up to 20 pounds.

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

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 course adoption issues and product availability concerns.
Build and maintain relationships with UT faculty and departments to support accurate, timely course supply lists and student affordability and access.
Respond to faculty and customer inquiries and product requests, and route special orders as directed.
Prepare 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 sales, margins, and inventory to support purchasing, budget, and markdown decisions.
Proactively identify and escalate risks, discrepancies, and opportunities affecting product availability and flow.
Provide cross-functional support and cross-train to back up the course materials team as needed.