Associate Buyer

Robert Half's retail client is seeking an Associate Buyer for a 3-month contract opportunity with potential for extension or future conversion. This is a 40-hour-per-week opportunity based in the Boston area, requiring 5 days onsite initially with potential flexibility down the road. This role will support the direct-to-consumer buying team with assortment planning, inventory management, forecasting, and product launch coordination. The ideal candidate will bring strong Excel skills, experience in retail buying, planning, or merchandising, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support assortment planning, forecasting, and inventory management activities for a designated product category
• Maintain and validate eCommerce pricing information, ensuring accuracy across systems and channels
• Execute inventory transfers, reporting, and inventory tracking functions using Excel
• Create, monitor, and update purchase orders to support inventory needs and upcoming product launches
• Assist with product launch preparation, including product setup and supporting documentation
• Compile sales data, product information, and visual assets for seasonal reviews, assortment strategies, and business recaps
• Partner with planning, merchandising, allocation, logistics, and other cross-functional teams to support daily business operations
• Assist with product and inventory system maintenance, data management, and item setup activities
• Analyze sales and inventory performance to help identify opportunities and support business decisions
• Ensure accuracy and attention to detail across reporting, inventory management, and operational processes

Qualifications:

• 1-3+ years of experience in retail buying, merchandise planning, allocation, inventory management, or a related field
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including working with large datasets, reporting, and inventory tracking
• Experience supporting assortment planning, forecasting, merchandising, or retail operations initiatives
• Knowledge of purchase order management, inventory flow, and product lifecycle processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a detail-oriented mindset
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint