Assistant Buyer – Art & School Supplies

Assistant Buyer – Art & School Supplies Role Profile Position Summary: The Assistant Buyer is a non-exempt role reporting to the Director of Course Material Programs, 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, this role partners with UT faculty, departments, vendors, and internal teams to ensure accurate course supply lists, timely product availability, and efficient operations. The Assistant Buyer 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. Key Competencies for Success: Attention to Detail, Customer Focus, Collaborating with Others, Fostering Communication, Initiative, Planning & Organizing, Problem Solving, and Vendor Management Key Accountabilities & Achievements: Course and Term Readiness Ensure supply assortments are complete, available, and well merchandised for each phase of the academic selling season while partnering with store operations. Coordinate with Course Materials Associates to resolve adoption issues and product availability concerns. Faculty Partnerships and Support 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. Purchase Order and Setup Accuracy Ensure accurate, 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. Vendor Management and Data Integrity Maintain accurate product and vendor data, including pricing and item attributes. Manage vendor communications, including order status, backorders, pricing updates, and shipment or invoice discrepancies. Identify cost-saving opportunities and product alternatives that support student affordability and access. Inventory Visibility and Issue Escalation 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. Knowledge, Abilities & Experience for Success: Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, or related field preferred. 1–2 years of relevant experience in buying, purchasing, inventory, or retail operations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in course materials, school supplies, art supplies, or specialty retail preferred. Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and basic reporting. Experience with NetSuite or other ERP systems preferred. 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. Understanding of merchandising principles, inventory management, and product lifecycle processes preferred. Physical Demands: Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. Communicating with others to exchange information. Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds. Work Environment: Well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office sett…

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