Assistant Merchant

Express•Columbus, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Merchant supports the Merchant team in achieving seasonal and annual financial objectives by contributing to assortment strategies and ensuring operational efficiency. The role collaborates with cross-functional teams, manages daily operational functions, and assists in product development and market research. It is responsible for maintaining data integrity, managing samples, preparing for key meetings, and providing insights into market trends and customer behavior. PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a retail platform operating the Express and Bonobos brands worldwide. Express is a multichannel apparel brand, and Bonobos is a menswear brand offering online ordering and personalized service through Guideshop locations. The position is associated with the Columbus Corporate Headquarters. Applicants must be currently authorized to work full-time in the United States. PHOENIX does not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Requirements

0–3 years of experience in retail merchandising, buying, or a related field.
Proficiency in Excel and Google tools.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Acute fashion sense and 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, solve problems, and influence decisions effectively.
Systems and technology savvy, with willingness to adapt to new tools and processes.
Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain data integrity across multiple tasks.
Strong visual taste level and awareness of current trends.
Ability to defend and effectively communicate ideas and recommendations across teams.
Must be currently authorized to work full-time in the United States; the employer does not sponsor work visas for this position.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, retail merchandising, fashion merchandising, or a related field is preferred.
Experience with Retail Management Systems (RMS), BeProduct, S5, or similar systems 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 Production, Planning, Design, eCommerce, Visual, and Marketing teams to execute 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 design, production, and sourcing teams.
Track and manage order delivery and launch timing, report exceptions, and ensure deadlines are met.
Partner with the planning team on seasonal financial plans, pricing, and item descriptions.
Compile and distribute product knowledge to internal teams monthly or seasonally.
Stay updated on trends and customer preferences to inform product selection and assortment decisions.