Assistant Grocery Buyer

About Us:

Proudly serving our San Francisco Bay Area communities since 1986, Mollie Stone’s Markets is a local, family-owned grocery store chain. With over 38 years of exemplary performance, Mollie Stone’s Markets continues to make a difference in people’s lives through food. We succeed in the industry by ensuring we deliver a large variety of exciting and quality products in an attractive and positive environment. Our roots remain in healthy, natural and specialty foods. Mollie Stone’s Buyers work closely with local producers around the greater Bay Area to bring high quality products to every aisle. Our goal is to surprise and delight our customers.

We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice, and we are proud to offer competitive wages, paid time off, physical and mental health benefits, 401(k) or pension plan, as well as career training programs through our professional partnerships. As a local, family owned and operated business, we are grateful to our customers as they support our vision, which allows us to care for our employees by making a difference in their lives.

About the Role:

This position plays a vital role in supporting the Purchasing Department with a focus on in-store merchandising, data analytics, store communication, execution, and vendor coordination & relationships. This position works closely with Buyer and store teams to ensure product presentation, assortment, and promotional strategies are successfully implemented in-store. The role also involves some office-based administrative tasks and vendor communications.

We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice, and we are proud to offer competitive wages, paid time off, physical and mental health benefits, 401(k) or pension plan, as well as career training programs through our professional partnerships. As a local, family owned and operated business, we are grateful to our customers as they support our vision, which allows us to care for our employees by making a difference in their lives.

Essential Functions:

Provide in-store merchandising support by ensuring product sets are executed according to buying plans and seasonal calendars.

• Collaborate with store teams to gather feedback on product performance, merchandising effectiveness, and inventory needs.

• Assist in setting up and maintaining endcaps, promotional displays, and new item placement in stores and coordinate with store teams for display or demo opportunities.

• Monitor competitive landscape and trends.

• Support Buyer in reviewing category performance and identifying opportunities and risks at the store level.

• Assist in planning and executing in-store promotions.

• Coordination with marketing and store operations teams.

• Support Buyer in preparing for line reviews, vendor visits, and store walkthroughs.

• Assist in claim preparation, vendor follow-ups, and store/vendor issue resolution.

• Review and verify invoice pricing and assist with periodic price comparisons.

• Maintain clear records and digital files related to product specifications and promotional plans.

• Support Mollie Stone's vision, mission, and values. Organize and track vendor samples.

• Implement new programs and company initiatives. 

•Support operations to achieve company goals.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• At least 3 years of experience in retail buying, merchandising, or store operations.

• Proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel and Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in grocery, food retail, or high-volume merchandising is a plus

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Competencies:

• Strong visual merchandising skills and attention to detail.

• Passion for food, retail, and customer experience.

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with store and office teams.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on retail environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to regularly lift up to 25 lbs.

• Standing/Walking: Up to 8 hours per day in store environments.

• Seating: Up to 8 hours per day (headquarters work).

• Reaching and handling merchandise: Frequent during store visits.

Travel Requirements:

• Must have reliable local travel availability around the SF Bay Area. Position may require up to 100% of travel time throughout all Mollies Stone’s locations.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time.

Mollie Stone's is an Equal Opportunity Employer