Assistant Merchant

Express•Columbus, OH

1d•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 operates the Express and Bonobos brands. Express is a multichannel apparel brand with more than 400 retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as an online store and mobile app. Bonobos is a menswear brand offering products online and through Guideshop locations that provide one-on-one service and fit advice. The position is based at the Columbus Corporate Headquarters. Applicants must be currently authorized to work full-time in the United States; PHOENIX does not sponsor 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 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; work visa sponsorship is not available.

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 a similar RMS is a plus.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing seasonal assortments, including initial product selection, roadmap creation, and style setup.
Manage operational tasks, including order management, sample organization, meeting preparation, and data accuracy across systems.
Conduct market research and competitive analysis, providing insights to 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 hindsight 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 help 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.