Description:
The Merchant is responsible for creating and driving the merchandise strategy for a given department/class that meets or exceeds the financial goals for that respective area. The Merchant leads the team in delivering consistent results for key financial metrics and KPIs, such as sales and gross margin. This position collaborates closely with the Merchandise Manager and/or Director of Merchandising, as well as cross-functional partners to capture and align the needs of the seasonal line planning process for a given department/class.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop robust seasonal merchandise assortment strategy, roadmap and assorted line for assigned area of responsibility within Global Merchandising that ties to financial plans and seasonal goals.
- Provide analytical, creative, and managerial support to the Merchandise Manager/Director of Merchandising, partnering in day to day running of the department.
- Analyze business and key KPIs weekly and seasonally; take ownership of levers (MD, promotions, chasing opportunity, mitigating risk) to drive the business partnering with leads to action accordingly.
- Oversee training, execution and completion of Assistant Merchant and Associate Merchant tasks which include sample tracking and management, creation, preparation and maintenance of reports and recaps, purchase order creation and maintenance
- Own seasonal hindsight, buys, style ranking, sku optimization and costing & pricing that ties to financial plans for areas of ownership; Create pre-season promotional strategies
- Manage and oversee product tracking for department to ensure on time delivery. Analyze sales risk and elevate to upper management.
- Maintain strong cross-functional relationships with Design, Product Development, Marketing, Planning, ISP and other merchandising partners to collaborate on seasonal buying process
- Partner closely with ISP team to determine appropriate in-store product placements that align with overall product and promotional strategy
- Expert in customer and global competition for department, understanding other retailers’ assortments, pricing and promotional strategies in comparison to Claire’s/Icing and incorporate relevant actions in seasonal product strategies
- Create and facilitate an effective work environment by coaching, developing and mentoring team, developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, modeling teamwork, recognizing and maintaining open communication
- Maintain all seasonal selling reports & records (recaps, style boards, line sheets) and distribute to cross-functional partners as needed to maintain clear communication across the organization
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field
- 5-6 years merchandising or retail buying experience
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills, and solution oriented decision-making
- Strong organizational, planning, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrate effective leadership skills, being able to run business and work autonomously
- Sense of urgency with demonstrated success in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment
- Flexibility and the ability to prioritize multiple deliverables
- Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting
- Understanding of current trends and how they apply to the Claire’s/Icing customer
- Excellent retail math skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)