Student Assistant Buyer to AD of General Merchandise

The University of Arizona Campus Store is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized Student Assistant Buyer to support the Assistant Director of General Merchandise and Inventory Control. This position offers hands-on experience in retail buying, merchandising, and operational support within a dynamic campus retail environment. Key responsibilities include assisting with purchase order entry, verifying deliveries, maintaining product and inventory records, and supporting warehouse and receiving functions. The Student Assistant Buyer also helps coordinate schedules, organize internal meetings, and contributes to product planning for major university events and Campus Store initiatives. A strong awareness of current fashion trends and university traditions is important for helping bring these collections to life. Additional duties include collecting and analyzing sales/inventory data, collaborating with website specialists to ensure accurate product listings and categorization, and supporting team communication and training efforts. This position also requires strong communication skills to continue relations with other campus departments, whether it is virtual or in-person. Strong time management, adaptability, proficiency in Excel, and a proactive mindset are essential for success in this role.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current University of Arizona student
• Able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
• Maximum of 25 hours per week during academic terms and 35 during break periods
• Federal Work Study

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Assist in analyzing sales trends, vendor performance, and open-to-buy plans to support inventory and markdown decisions

2. Develop knowledge of assigned product categories, including key vendors and merchandise trends

3. Support the Assistant Director in reordering inventory and identifying new product opportunities

4. Participate in vendor meetings to gain exposure to professional buying processes and retail strategies

5. Utilize inventory management systems to create and update item records, generate purchase orders, and track product movement

6. Process special and custom orders for campus departments and other partnerships, ensuring accuracy and timely fulfillment

7. Support floor merchandising and product placement to enhance the customer shopping experience

8. Take a lead role in planning and executing the semi-annual physical inventory, including mapping, counting, and reconciling discrepancies

9. Assist in creating and maintaining a regular inventory cycle count schedule

10. Help train new team members and lead by example in customer service and product knowledge

11. Provide customer support, assist with product selection, and answer questions about merchandise

12. Learn and become proficient in the Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and returns to be a support during Black-out dates and rush season

13. Participate in major sales events such as Back to School Rush, Admitted Student Day, TFOB, athletic events, Campus Store events and holiday promotions. Specific event dates are subject to change but are listed within the yearly Black-out dates agreement.

FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

1. NetSuite Operations

a. Complete Transfer orders to ensure the sales floor is properly filled.

b. Work on Open items to correct inventory that is not ringing up correctly.

c. Support Planogram creation and execution.

d. Assist AD in printing reports: on order, stock on hand, sales, aging reports, etc.

e. Analyze weekly sales reports and inventory to create suggested reorders to review with supervisor.

f. Support merchandise floor changes

g. Data entry to build PO's which includes creating SKUs within the inventory system

h. Ensure POs are in system at time of orders to ensure proper OTB management.

i. Create and maintain PO tracker each month to ensure deliveries on time and cancelling past due product.

j. Print/Send POs to vendors and assist with vendor communication.

k. Assist buyers in managing inventory and Open-to-Buy.

2. Assist on sales floor when needed.

3. Assist supervisor/leads with training of new employees if needed

4. Maintain and update vendor contact list

5. Support AD in building strong relationships with all Campus Store departments for achieving open communication and efficiency for all.

6. Assist with annual physical inventory for the main Campus Store and all satellite locations

7. Contribute to general inventory functions, including product receiving, verifying item accuracy, and checking that university logos and team colors are correct

8. Help maintain an ongoing inventory cycle count schedule to ensure accurate stock levels

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of duties and responsibilities that may be required of employees given this title. It shall not be construed as determining what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit in any way the right of supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.