Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Buyers and Merchandisers
Christine, a Director of Brand Partnerships, advises undergraduates interested in a similar field to seek "entry-level roles" such as product development assistant, buyer's admin assistant, or merchandising assistant positions, noting these offer valuable on-the-job learning and build crucial relationships with brands. These roles, while demanding, provide a strong foundation for a career in buying, allowing one to learn "a variety of functions" and develop skills in areas like product development and brand relationships.
Entry-Level Jobs, Buying Industry, Brand Relationships, Product Development, Assistant Roles
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christine Waters
Director of Brand Partnerships
Neighborhood Goods
New York University, 2012
N/A
Entrepreneurship
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in brand partnerships and buying include product development assistant, assistant buyer, buyer's admin assistant, and merchandising assistant roles.
2. These entry-level roles offer opportunities to learn various functions, build relationships with brands, and gain experience in product development and buying.
3. Starting at an entry-level position, even if it's not directly in brand partnerships, can be a valuable way to build experience and learn on the job, eventually leading to more advanced roles.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
There are many options and job opportunities. For my position, I would highly encourage just getting started at whatever level you can. This allows you to continue building experiences and learning on the job.
As I mentioned in my previous answer, some examples include the role I started in: a product development assistant. That's an entry-level position. Similarly, an assistant buyer or a buyer's administrative assistant are good starting points.
There are many buying support roles that tend to be available. These are definitely a good way to start your career. It's hard work, but you learn a variety of functions and support senior buyers on your team.
You will likely learn about product development and start building relationships with brands. There are also various support merchandising assistant roles, from planning and allocation to assistant and administrative entry-level roles. So, there's definitely a surplus of opportunities. Any of them would be a great entry point into the buying industry as a whole.