Merchandise Assistant - Junior

Merchandise Assistant - Junior
Location: Framingham, MA
Onsite Flexibility: Onsite
Contract Details

• Position Type: Right to Hire
• Contract Duration: 11 months
• Pay Rate: $23.00 / Hour (USD)
• Schedule: Days (Tuesday and Wednesday in-office required)
• Hours per Week: 36.25
• Contract-to-Hire: Potential to convert (please submit convertible talent)
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Job Summary
This role assists and supports 2-4 Buyers and an AVP, Merchandise Manager on a variety of administrative and clerical functions. The Merchandise Assistant communicates with approximately 50 vendors between all merchants they support, monitors and edits domestic and import purchase orders, and follows up on allocations and late vendor shipments. The position interfaces with all levels of management and communicates with multiple internal and external contacts on a routine basis. The role coordinates all travel arrangements for assigned merchants and sets up vendor and agent visits in the home office, creates and maintains spreadsheets to monitor weekly spend for merchants as necessary, and assists and supports Merchandise Assistants and merchants outside of own area to include corporate buying offices as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Purchase Orders

• Prepares and writes domestic and import purchase orders. Enters and reviews electronic PO's via the Buyer Worksheet application. Revises purchase orders daily and follows the purchase order change process. Ensures all necessary signatures are obtained for a letter of credit PO.
• Partners with Planning & Allocation to expedite PO entry. Follows through with P&A to ensure electronic PO's are addressed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensures accuracy and integrity of ASN/EDI PO information including identifying ASN/EDI orders and contacting vendors for required information when needed.
• Pulls late lists weekly and follows up on all late PO's with vendors. Reviews ship dates and cancels or makes revisions as necessary. Receives authorization from Buyer to approve vendor shipping extensions and renegotiate costs as needed. Follows up with traffic/transportation departments as needed.
• Tracks all PO's generated through the buyer worksheet system to ensure final PO has been received.
• Assists in merchandise shipment follow up and problem solving for over/under shipments and vendor charge-backs/cost discrepancies.

Vendor Communication

• Communicates daily with vendors via telephone and email regarding purchase orders, allocations, problem solving, etc. Plays an integral role in enhancing and maintaining strong working relationships.
• Fields and screens telephone calls for PO and non-PO related matters to include prospective vendor inquiries, scheduling vendor appointments and allocation inquiries. Initiates calls to vendors to solicit contact and address information to ensure vendor databases are accurate and updated.

General Office Duties, Vendor Samples and Special Projects

• Faxes, files and photocopies PO's and other departmental forms. Develops effective organizational techniques to support merchants and operations such as filing and binder systems.
• Organizes reports for Buyers on a weekly basis to include Buyer Control File and On Order Inquiry.
• Coordinates all travel arrangements weekly for 2-5 merchants and completes Merchandise Manager/Buyer itinerary paperwork including scheduling market appointments.
• Assists and supports MAs and merchants outside of own area to include corporate buying offices as needed.
• Coordinates and sets up vendor and agent visits at the home office.
• Assists in pre-production/production sample process to include tracking receipt of samples, setting up displays for buyer approval and creating and maintaining binders, etc.
• Opens and organizes all sample packages for buyer review. Requests samples from vendors for strategy meetings and ensures samples are received and returned in a timely manner. Organizes and maintains sample room and purges samples as needed.
• Maintains a pre-ticket address database and follows-up with the Planning department and vendors to resolve pre-ticketed merchandise problems.
• Complies with Sarbanes Oxley requirements by obtaining Buyer and AVP, MM signatures on all PO's.
• Performs special projects as assigned or directed (i.e. pulling selling, weekly $ spend grids, spreadsheets, etc.)

Required Skills

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to develop effective filing and binder systems
• Proficiency in creating and maintaining spreadsheets (e.g., weekly spend grids)
• Ability to communicate daily with vendors via telephone and email
• Experience with purchase order entry, revision, and follow-up processes
• Familiarity with ASN/EDI PO information and accuracy requirements
• Ability to coordinate travel arrangements and itinerary paperwork for multiple merchants
• Strong attention to detail for monitoring PO accuracy and vendor database integrity
• Ability to handle multiple administrative tasks across 2-4 buyers simultaneously
• Proficiency with electronic PO systems (Buyer Worksheet application)
• Ability to comply with Sarbanes Oxley requirements for signature and documentation processes
• Strong interpersonal skills to interface with all levels of management and multiple internal and external contacts

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

Important Notes

• An Excel test will be requested for candidates who are selected for interview.
• In-office Tuesdays and Wednesdays required.

About the Client
This Fortune 100 off-price retail company operates more than 5,200 stores across ten countries under iconic brands including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra, making it the world's leading off-price apparel and home fashions organization. With a dynamic buying model that delivers quality, brand-name, and designer merchandise at prices typically 20 to 60 percent below full-price retail, the company serves millions of customers globally across North America, Europe, and Australia. The organization employs buyers, merchants, merchandise assistants, supply chain professionals, and corporate finance and technology specialists who thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with meaningful career development opportunities across merchandising, operations, and beyond.
About GTT
GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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