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About the Role

An Associate Merchant is accountable for owning their own categories while supporting their managing merchant. The Associate Merchant will be responsible for developing and executing the category’s strategic direction, assortment management, understanding the business needs across Barnes & Noble and Paper Source and seek the best vendor partners to create an assortment that is both in line with the company and category strategy and is profitable for the business. The Associate Merchant should also be fostering a collaborative and productive relationship with their Specialty Inventory Manager and the Visual Team to ensure alignment on strategies and executions.

Responsibilities

Ownership of category and assortments.
Establish a regular core review cadence.
Collaborate with internal partners such as design team, visual merchandising and store operations to create unique, upscale assortments with strong store execution.
Regular market analysis to identify opportunities and to stay abreast of market trends while continuing to push forward our representation of trends in store.
Clearly communicate strategy and intention in presentations to management, SIM team and commercial strategy partners.
Build partnerships with vendors who are aligned with our direction.
Negotiate terms with vendors.

Requirements

Ability to identify assortment opportunities and work with internal partners to execute.
Communication skills that can adapt style in accordance with who they are speaking with (vendors, internal partners, management etc).
Thoughtful and diplomatic with ability to prioritize.
Creative and solution-oriented approach to problem solving.
Uses knowledge of the industry and the competition to support company goals.
A decision-maker, who can accurately assess situations and use feedback and experience to customize solutions to achieve results.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Works well under deadlines, is a self-starter, innovative, team-oriented, customer-focused.
Effectively copes with change, comfortably shifting focus and priorities while handling the unexpected.
A planner who can anticipate issues before they occur; uses resources effectively and has a realistic plan of action to accomplish objectives.
Builds collaborative relationships by fostering open dialogue and listening to others.

Salary/Compensations

$67,000 - $75,000 annually

Benefits

Employee Discount
EAP
Sick Pay
Paid Time Off
paid Maternity and Parental Leave
Company Paid Holidays
Transit
401(k) with Company Match
Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision)
Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
Healthcare Spending Account
Disability Benefits
Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement

About the Company

Barnes & Noble is the leading book retailer in the United States, with roots dating back to 1873 and a long history of growth through innovation and expansion.
Today, under CEO James Daunt and private ownership by Elliott Advisors, Barnes & Noble operates approximately 700 bookstores nationwide, serves over 700 communities across all 50 states, and maintains a robust digital presence through BN.com, NOOK® eBooks and audiobooks, and educational resources such as SparkNotes.
The company also includes complementary retail brands such as Paper Source, Books Inc., Tattered Cover, and B. Dalton, further strengthening its market reach.
Following a period of revitalization, Barnes & Noble is experiencing strong momentum, with plans to open approximately 60 new stores in 2026, underscoring renewed confidence in physical retail and local bookselling.
Combining expansive store networks, curated selections, enhanced in-store experiences, and growing omnichannel capabilities, Barnes & Noble remains the #1 bookseller in the U.S. and a trusted, evolving partner within the publishing and retail ecosystem.

Equal Opportunity

As an Affirmative Action Employer, Barnes & Noble hires qualified people to perform the many tasks necessary for the success of our business and is committed to diversity in the workplace.
An essential part of this policy is providing equal employment opportunity for all.
All employment practices and decisions—including those involving application procedures, recruitment or recruitment advertising, hiring, placement, job assignment, transfer, promotion, demotion, training, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, benefits, discipline, leave of absence, layoff, recall, termination and general treatment during employment—will be conducted without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), hairstyle, height and/or weight, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions, or any other self-identified, perceived or actual characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.
Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.
Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
Contact (800) 799-5335.