Merchandising Assistant in Brooklyn, New York at Uncommon Goods

About Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods partners with independent makers and small businesses to offer a wide and constantlyevolving assortment of original, creative products.­

We are built on better business practices and committed to having a positive impact. Learn more here.

The best part of Uncommon Goods is us—our team. We've been around for over 20 years because of all the wonderful people who make UG the one-of-a-kind company it is.

Learn more about our products, B Corp certification, guiding principles, Better to Give program, and team members you might be working with. Listen to the story of Uncommon Goods from our Founder and CEO here and here.

About the role

We’re looking for a Merchandising Assistant to join our Merchandising team and help bring the products and makers that make Uncommon Goods special to life. This is a hands-on role where you’ll work closely with a Category Buyer on everything from researching new products and makers to managing samples, setting up new items, tracking product information, and digging into sales and inventory data. You’ll help keep the assortment moving and make sure the details behind every product are right. You’ll work with independent makers and vendors as well as partners across Merchandising, Creative, Marketing, Operations, Inventory, and other teams. There’s a lot to learn, a lot to keep track of, and plenty of opportunity to make an impact.

We’re looking for someone who is curious about products, highly organized, comfortable with details, and excited to learn the business. You should be someone who notices when something doesn’t look right, follows up when something is missing, and isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves to figure things out. This position is based in our Sunset Park, Brooklyn office and requires working onsite two days per week.

What you'll do

• Support the Category Buyer with the day-to-day management and execution of the category assortment.
• Help manage the new item pipeline, making sure products move smoothly from approval through setup and launch.
• Manage the product sample process, including requesting samples, tracking shipments, following up with vendors, opening packages, and keeping samples organized.
• Collect and maintain product information including images, pricing, dimensions, materials, and other details needed to bring products to market.
• Prepare samples, presentations, and other materials for Buyer reviews and cross-functional meetings.
• Work with vendors and internal partners to resolve product, pricing, sample, setup, or information discrepancies.
• Support weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews with sales, inventory, and product performance reporting.
• Monitor product and category performance and flag trends, opportunities, and concerns to the Buyer.
• Assist with assortment planning, product research, competitive research, and identifying potential new products and makers.
• Research and reach out to prospective brands, artisan makers, and designers as directed by the Buyer and based on trends you uncover.
• Support existing vendor relationships by answering questions, gathering information, and helping keep partnerships running smoothly.
• Maintain organized records and follow up on open action items to keep projects and product launches moving forward.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Creative, Marketing, Operations, Inventory, and other teams to ensure products launch accurately and on time.
• Stay curious about emerging product trends, customer preferences, competitive offerings, and the independent maker landscape.

About You

• You’re organized, curious, and genuinely interested in products. You enjoy the process of discovering something new and figuring out what makes it special.
• You’re comfortable working with both people and data. You can spend part of your day talking with a maker or tracking down a missing sample and the next part looking at sales numbers or organizing product information.
• You’re someone who follows through. When you say you’ll do something, you do it. When you see a problem, you try to solve it. And when you don’t know the answer, you’re comfortable asking questions and digging in.
• Most importantly, you’re excited by the opportunity to learn merchandising from the inside and help shape an assortment of products that people won’t find everywhere else.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in merchandising, buying, retail, e-commerce, product, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required with relevant experience.
• Genuine interest in Uncommon Goods, unique products, and independent makers.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and strong follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an interest in using data to make decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with vendors and collaborating with cross-functional partners.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while knowing when to ask questions or escalate an issue.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Comfortable working with basic retail math and sales and inventory data.
• Resourceful, curious, and willing to dig into the details to get things done.
• Ability to work onsite at our Brooklyn Army Terminal office every Tuesday and Thursday.
• Ability to travel to trade shows in the NYC area.
• Ability to open and lift sample packages up to 20 lbs.

Nice to Have

• Experience with an e-commerce or retail business.
• Experience working with vendors, brands, or independent makers.
• Familiarity with product setup or product information management.
• Experience analyzing sales, inventory, or other retail data.
• Interest or experience in apparel, accessories, or wellness categories.
• A great eye for products and an ability to spot something interesting before everyone else does.

You Are

• Curious and always looking for something new and interesting.
• Organized and detail-oriented without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Comfortable juggling multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• A strong communicator who enjoys working with people across different teams.
• Proactive and willing to roll up your sleeves to figure things out.
• Analytical and comfortable letting data help tell the story.
• Thoughtful and collaborative in how you work with vendors and teammates.
• Excited to learn and grow your merchandising skills.
• Genuinely interested in products, makers, retail, and what makes something worth discovering.

Company Perks

• Competitive hourly wage $24-25 an hour

• Hybrid work environment, with 2 days onsite per week in our Brooklyn Army Terminal, Sunset Park office.
• Casual work atmosphere and a creative, collaborative team.
• 40% discount on Uncommon Goods products.
• Opportunities to learn, grow, and develop your skills.
• Fun company events and ways to stay connected as a team.

Everyone is Welcome Here

At Uncommon Goods, we believe we’re all out of the ordinary. That’s why we’re committed to making diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging part of everything we do. We strive to make significant changes to our business, from how we find our products to how we build and cultivate our team, so we can be everyone’s favorite place to work.

We are an equal opportunity employer. If you would like to request any accommodation during the application process, please email people@uncommongoods.com.

About Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods partners with independent makers and small businesses to offer a wide and constantly evolving assortment of original, creative products.

We are built on better business practices and committed to having a positive impact. The best part of Uncommon Goods is us, our team. We’ve been around for over 20 years because of all the wonderful people who make UG the one-of-a-kind company it is. Learn more about our products, B Corp certification, guiding principles, Better to Give program, and team members you might be working with. Learn more about your FMLA rights here