Assistant Merchant

Express•Columbus, OH

About The Position

About PHOENIX PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a Direct-to-Consumer platform operating EXPRESS and BONOBOS in the United States. Grounded in a belief that style, quality and value should all be found in one place, Express is a brand with a purpose - We Create Confidence. We Inspire Self-Expression. - powered by a styling community. Bonobos is a menswear brand known for being pioneers of exceptional fit and a personalized, innovative retail model. Customers can experience our brands in over 400 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores, 50 Bonobos Guideshops, and online at www.express.com and www.bonobos.com . The Assistant Merchant supports the Merchant team in achieving seasonal and annual financial objectives by contributing to assortment strategies and ensuring operational efficiency. This role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, manages daily operational functions, and assists in product development and market research. The Assistant Merchant is responsible for maintaining data integrity, managing samples, preparing for key meetings, and providing insights into market trends and customer behavior.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, retail merchandising, fashion merchandising, or a related field is preferred.
0-3 years of experience in retail merchandising, buying, or related field.
Proficient in Excel and Google; experience with Retail Management Systems (RMS), BeProduct or S5, or similar RMS is a plus.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Acute fashion sense with the ability to interpret market trends and customer preferences.
Strong analytical skills and understanding of retail math to assess sales and performance.
Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage through conflict, problem-solve, and influence decisions effectively
Systems and technology-savvy, with a willingness to adapt to new tools and processes.
Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain data integrity across multiple tasks.
Demonstrates strong visual taste level and awareness of current trends.
Ability to defend and effectively communicate ideas and recommendations across teams.

Nice To Haves

experience with Retail Management Systems (RMS), BeProduct or S5, or similar RMS is a plus.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing seasonal assortments, including initial product selection, roadmap creation, and style set-up.
Manage operational tasks, including order management, sample organization, meeting preparation, and data accuracy across all systems.
Conduct market research and competitive analysis, providing insights that inform product development and pricing strategies.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Production, Planning, Design, eCommerce, Visual, Marketing) to ensure the successful execution of assortment strategies.
Maintain style attribution, adoption, and updates, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
Prepare and present hindsighting selling reports, highlighting opportunities for future season planning.
Support product development by communicating tactical updates to the appropriate teams, including design, production, and sourcing.
Track and manage order delivery and launch timing, reporting exceptions and ensuring deadlines are met.
Partner with the planning team on seasonal financial plans, pricing, and item descriptions.
Compile and distribute product knowledge to internal teams on a monthly or seasonal basis.
Stay updated on trends and customer preferences to inform product selection and assortment decisions