Job Summary:

The Merchandiser will create and execute strategies for an assortment of merchandise within a select division. The Merchandiser will be responsible for developing and implementing successful and effective merchandise assortments, proactively managing and executing profitable promotional plans, as well as regularly reporting results clearly and concisely to senior management on a daily and weekly basis.

Responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities:

• Partner with management in the merchandise selection and assortment activities of an assigned category to ensure that internal cross functional teams are working within cost requirements and hitting key deadlines
• Understand merchandising trends at the category and item level in order to maximize in-season opportunities and minimize risks
• Regularly review and evaluate sales trends to determine where to place products for sale and communicate financial results, forecasts, and action plans to management and cross-functional teams
• Rank styles based on historical and current product performance and identify redundancies in the product assortment
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with cross-functional teams including Design, Global Sourcing, Marketing, Planning & Allocation, and Store Communications to achieve seamless product-to-market process
• Manage, train, and lead junior associates across multiple levels, including associates, assistants, interns, and trainees
• Create and communicate relevant and effective presentations for product performance reviews, trend and sales meetings, and frequently attend and participate in meetings with cross-functional partners (Merchandising, Design, Planning & Allocation, and Sourcing)
• Conduct regular market trips to collect seasonal trend and competitor data to share with management and broader cross-functional teams

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field
• 3-5 years merchandising experience, covering both product development and buying responsibilities

• Skills and Behaviors:
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• Ability to thrive in a multi-tasked, fast-paced environment with frequently changing priorities
• Must be product driven and knowledgeable about children’s apparel, maintaining a high awareness of the customer, the competition relative to product quality/value relationship, and fashion trends
• Relationship management experience with success in driving initiatives across functions
• Financial and analytical skills a must to drive overall strategy
• Comfortable building and delivering presentations to management, staff and field audiences
• Must be detail oriented, proactive, and have a hands on approach to the product and the business
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including ability to create presentations and prepare complex spreadsheets
• Knowledge of external or proprietary large retail POS, markdown, and planning and reporting systems