Buying Intern

The Paper Store•Acton, MA

1d•$18 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Buying Intern is responsible for supporting the Buying team across product selection, vendor partnerships, and business performance. This role is designed to provide hands-on exposure to how merchants think, plan, and drive results, connecting day-to-day execution with broader business outcomes. You will gain insight into how product decisions are made, how trends are identified, and how assortments translate into customer excitement and sales. The Buying Intern reports directly to the VP of Merchandising.

Requirements

A rising junior or senior pursuing a degree in Business, Fashion Merchanditing, Retail, or a related field, or a recent graduate with a strong interest in buying and product-driven retail.
Naturally curious about retail trends, product, and consumer behavior.
Analytical and comfortable working with numbers, data, and Excel.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Able to work in a fast-paced retail environment and pivot quickly as business needs change.
A proactive problem solver who can identify issues, ask thoughtful questions, and help move work forward.
A strong communicator who is comfortable working cross-functionally with teams and vendors.
Excited to learn how product decisions are made and how they impact the business.
Motivated to build a career in buying, merchandising, and product-driven retail environments.
This internship is based at our Corporate Office in Acton, MA and requires working on-site throughout the duration of the program.
Availability during the holiday season is required.

Responsibilities

Support purchase order (PO) and SKU management, ensuring accuracy across systems.
Partner with vendors to confirm shipments, verify costs and availability, and manage order follow-ups.
Assist in building assortments, reorders, and product lists for promotional and seasonal initiatives.
Prepare and maintain pricing and product information to support buying decisions.
Build and organize materials for promotions, markdowns, and key business moments.
Collaborate with stores and the distribution center to support product flow and resolve issues.
Support buying execution, including product placement direction and seasonal planning support.
Partner with e-commerce and marketing teams to prepare product for online launches.
Analyze sales performance, including sell-through, turn, and gross margin, and identify opportunities to improve results.
Track promotional performance and contribute insights on product and customer trends.
Assist in creating product presentations, collages, and materials for assortment reviews.