Associate Merchant - AE Women's Fleece

American Eagle Outfitters•New York, NY

4d•$65,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Merchant for Fleece is responsible for driving the strategic execution and daily management of a high-volume, product-led category. This role requires a unique blend of strategic analytical thinking and hands-on, tactile product passion. You will manage and develop an Assistant Merchant, analyze and report on sales data on a weekly basis, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to drive category growth. Simultaneously, you will be immersed in the product lifecycle, driving execution from end to end, which includes partnering on sample management, helping facilitate and manage Purchase Orders, and handling fabric commits with vendors in partnership with Planning and Production.

Requirements

3+ years of experience as an Assistant Merchant and/or Associate Merchant in a fast-paced specialty retail environment.
Proven experience managing or formally mentoring at least one direct report
A proactive, can-do attitude with a strong sense of urgency and the adaptability to navigate ambiguity in a dynamic work environment.
The unique ability to operate in both a strategic and deeply hands-on capacity, balancing big-picture thinking with day-to-day operational execution.
A keen sense of the latest fashion trends, fabrication, and wash techniques, with the ability to interpret them for the AE customer.
Strong financial proficiency with the ability to analyze weekly sales data and utilize Google Office Suite to drive business decisions.
Exceptional organizational and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence partners and act as a seamless liaison between cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Drive and execute a strategic Omni product vision and business plan for the Fleece category through seamless communication and coordination with Design, Production, and Planning.
Directly manage, coach, and develop one Assistant Merchant, establishing clear goals, prioritizing daily tasks, and fostering their professional growth within the merchandising career track.
Drive end-to-end execution of the product lifecycle by partnering on sample management, facilitating and managing Purchase Orders (POs), and securing fabric commits with vendors in close collaboration with Planning and Production.
Analyze and report out on sales performance weekly, identifying immediate volume and margin opportunities to maximize topline revenue and mitigate markdown risks.
Partner with the Planning team monthly to manage the Open-to-Buy, dynamically adjusting strategies based on current category trends.
Collaborate with Planning to rank the landed assortment, optimizing buy quantities based on targeted category opportunities.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the full fleece assortment, tracking its development from initial concept to final execution across all styles, silhouettes, and fabrications.
Maintain total data integrity across all internal merchandising systems and assortment tools, tracking style details, colorways, and delivery cadences from concept to site launch to ensure clear assortment visibility at all times.
Keep a constant pulse on the competitive landscape, benchmarking both Brick & Mortar and Digital competitors to make informed, brand-right business decisions.