Assistant Buyer - Bed Bath & Beyond
Company : Kirkland's, Inc.
Location : Brentwood, TN, 37027
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
The Assistant Buyer for Bed Bath & Beyond is assisting the Buyer in all facets of product assortment planning, financial planning, and vendor partnerships to maximize corporate sales volume, gross margin, and turnover objectives.
Responsibilities
- Data entry needs for all categories in division including, but not limited to SKU set up, PO entry/maintenance, and overall data accuracy.
- Assist Buyer in purchase order management, vendor interaction, product selection and marketing functions.
- Make any revisions on purchase orders or canceling of purchase orders and notify vendor of changes based on direction from the buyer and planner.
- Notify current vendors of any revisions needed of items and request revised samples.
- Maintain photo database for all SKUs.
- Manage samples ensuring they are properly tagged and organized.
- Attend all vendor meeting to establish partnerships, document pertinent discussions, and review samples and trend reports
- Follow up on damaged products or packaging issues communicated by stores or warehouse. Notify the buyer of the extent of the problem and determine what actions need to be taken.
- Research comparative prices for items ordered in order to present optimal pricing, market comparison and trend analysis to the buyer
- Track all shipments and estimated times of arrival notifying Buyer of any late shipments to optimize inventory flow and on time product sets
- Recap weekly business metrics identifying successes and opportunities with supporting sales data
- Execute all tasks with strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrates a commitment to The Brand House Collective Values
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Interior Design, or related field preferred. Combination of education and work experience considered.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint are essential.
- Demonstrated ability to work in an accurate and organized manner.
- Strong ability to multi-task and support multiple departments and team members.
- Must be flexible and willing to switch priorities quickly.
- Enjoys working in a team environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written.
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift and move up to 45 pounds or more on a regular basis
- Ability to stoop, bend, climb and lift to stock and retrieve merchandise samples from stockroom on a regular basis
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Frequently asked questions
Brentwood's retail sector is growing steadily, with moderate competition for assistant buyer roles. Candidates with merchandising experience and strong Excel skills tend to stand out, especially in home goods sectors like Kirkland's, Inc. Local demand favors those adaptable to fast-paced inventory and vendor management tasks.
While formal certifications aren't mandatory, credentials in merchandising or supply chain management can boost your profile. Programs focused on vendor relations and inventory control are increasingly valued by retailers in Brentwood, reflecting the region's emphasis on efficient product turnover and margin optimization.
Mastering data accuracy, purchase order handling, and vendor communication is crucial. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, along with trend analysis and shipment tracking, empowers an assistant buyer to support product assortment and financial goals effectively in a retail environment.
The role requires juggling detailed data entry tasks like SKU setup and purchase order revisions with active vendor engagement, including meetings and sample management. This balance ensures timely product flow and market-competitive pricing, critical for successful merchandise planning.
Starting as an assistant buyer can lead to roles such as senior buyer or category manager. Gaining expertise in financial planning, vendor negotiations, and sales data analysis opens doors to leadership positions within retail merchandising, especially in companies focused on home goods.
Kirkland's blends traditional merchandising with a strong emphasis on vendor partnerships and trend responsiveness. Their assistant buyer roles integrate hands-on sample management and detailed sales metric analysis, distinguishing their approach in the home décor retail space.
While both focus on product assortment and vendor relations, Kirkland's assistant buyers often engage more deeply with trend reporting and photo database management. This role requires a high degree of organization to support the fast-moving home décor market effectively.
Assistant buyers in Brentwood typically earn between $42,000 and $55,000 annually, depending on experience and company size. Positions at firms like Kirkland's, Inc. may offer competitive pay reflecting the role’s combination of data precision, vendor liaison, and inventory oversight.
Managing shipment delays and coordinating timely product sets are common hurdles. Assistant buyers must proactively track arrivals and communicate with vendors to maintain seamless inventory turnover, which is crucial for meeting Brentwood stores’ sales and margin targets.