Merchandise Support Specialist

About the Role:

We’re looking for a commercially aware and highly organised Merchandise Support Specialist to support our fast-paced Supermarket buying team.

The Merchandise Support Specialist will be working with our senior buying team across all aspects of their role. There will be a strong focus on reporting across all categories and vendors to assist buyers in making decisions quickly on which products to range and delete, and all associated promotional activity. Lots of competitor comparison reports will also be required. This is a hands-on remote role where you’ll help ensure deals are executed quickly, stock flows efficiently, and margin opportunities are maximised.

Schedule:

• Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Australian Eastern Time), with a 1-hour unpaid break (40 hours per week)

Independent Contractor Perks:

• Permanent work from home
• Immediate hiring
• Health insurance coverage for eligible locations

Responsibilities:

• Assist buyers with credit management and investment buying decisions
• Organize weekly promotional displays and monitor campaign performance
• Support buyers with product allocations, including entering key quantities on wholesaler websites
• Post merchandise plans for selected categories on STOR-IQ
• Prepare and analyze Special 1 reporting:
• Identify lines to be discontinued or flagged for promotion
• Evaluate the effectiveness of Special 1 campaigns
• Provide weekly feedback to stores on sales, margins, and promotional results
• Assist with scheduled range reviews and seasonal events (e.g., Christmas, Easter)
• Prepare and analyze supplier/vendor performance and purchase reports, including rebate claims
• Support ad hoc requests from stores
• Prepare weekly catalog spreadsheets
• Ensure all transfer and purchase orders are up to date, raising and managing urgent orders as needed
• Investigate large stock adjustments at the store level
• Maintain product data, including barcodes, pack sizes, and compliance information
• Assist in setting retail prices aligned with the target GP%
• Monitor sell-through rates, flagging slow-moving or aged stock
• Prepare weekly reports on sales performance, margins, stock cover, and aged inventory

Skills & Experience:

• 1+ year in retail administration, buying support, merchandising, or supply chain
• Strong Excel / Google Sheets skills (formulas, margin calculations, basic modelling)
• Understanding of gross profit, sell-through, and markdown impact
• Close attention to detail — errors in cost or quantity directly impact margin
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for team interaction
• High Competency in English
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote setting

What Success Looks Like:

• Reporting is done accurately and on time according to the weekly schedule
• Taking responsibility to execute time-consuming tasks so the Buyer can focus on sourcing and negotiating, knowing that preparation/data is accurate and completed
• With time, to have sufficient knowledge and skills, to be able to perform most buyers’ tasks at 75% - without their assistance
• Proactive individual who is keen to support their senior buying team to make them successful

Ideal Candidate:

• You thrive in a value-driven, fast-paced environment. You enjoy working with numbers
• You are keen to please and be part of a supportive team, and you strive for accuracy

Side Note:

• This is a permanent work-from-home role under an Independent Contractor arrangement. Candidates must have their own computer and reliable internet connection, and are responsible for their own taxes and benefits. Professional hourly fees are established based on your performance in the application process.

Reminder:

• Please follow the provided link to BruntWork’s Career Site to finish your initial application requirements, including the assessment questions, technical check, and voice recording. Submissions that fulfill all requirements will receive priority review.