Assistant Merchant

Knitwell Group • Hingham, MA

10d • $50,000 - $55,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Merchant supports the Merchant with merchandise strategy, development, and selection, and supports the department throughout the product lifecycle. Each Assistant Merchant is assigned to a specific category. The role is part of a fast-paced, collaborative merchandising team and is based at Talbots’ Hingham, Massachusetts corporate office, working on-site at least four days per week, with onsite attendance also guided by project and product calendar needs.

Responsibilities include preparing and analyzing reports, tracking seasonal commitments, purchase orders, and inventory, coordinating samples, and partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate product presentation across catalogs, stores, and the web. The Assistant Merchant also monitors industry trends and competitors, reviews product content and online merchandising, and gathers historical data to inform future buys.

Requirements

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and numerical formulation, or the aptitude to learn these technical applications quickly.
• Broad-based business acumen and potential to grow to the Merchant level and beyond.
• Innate sense of fashion and ability to analyze and translate trends.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and work collaboratively.
• Excellent attention to detail and understanding of the importance of accuracy and thorough completion of tasks.
• Ability to meet concurrent deadlines and manage and prioritize own workload.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of merchandising, retail sales, buying, or internship experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports; assist the Merchant with performance analysis and complete ad hoc analytical assignments.
• Review and compile seasonal commitments by style, color, and size in partnership with Sourcing and Allocation partners.
• Monitor and track purchase orders and inventory through the receipt reconciliation process.
• Order, track, and organize seasonal samples; verify photo sample accuracy and follow protocol for incorrect samples.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure accurate product representation for photo shoots and floor sets.
• Provide item data for catalog copy cards.
• Review catalog shot sheets to ensure all products are photographed and have appropriate selling space.
• Prepare for and attend catalog, store set layout, and web thumbnail reviews to ensure accuracy, timely delivery, and placement.
• Review and correct catalog and web content for the department as it is released; coordinate with teams to ensure accurate product representation.
• Maintain knowledge of retail industry trends, shop competitors, and visit Talbots stores frequently.
• Check the department’s web landing page for accurate product information, gallery ranking, and helpful customer reviews; partner with web merchandising on callouts.
• Assist the Merchant in generating weekly reports to analyze sales and business trends.
• Gather and recap historical information as a starting point for future buys.

Benefits

• Merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.
• Support for individual development and opportunities for career mobility within the family of brands.
• Local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match for eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities supporting communities.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid time off and holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed