Associate Merchant

Express•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Associate Merchant supports in the creation and execution of product assortment strategies while working cross-functionally to achieve the financial goals of the division and the company. The Associate Merchant balances an understanding of sales performance, market trends, and customer insights to build commercially viable assortments. They partner closely with Planning, Design, Production, and other teams to ensure that products align with brand objectives and financial targets. In-season, they are responsible for analyzing performance, identifying opportunities, and managing risks, contributing to both top and bottom-line growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in business, retail merchandising, or fashion merchandising.
3-5 years of experience in product merchandise buying, with demonstrated success in managing a product category.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive actionable decisions.
Acute understanding of brand positioning, customer insights, and fashion trends.
Ability to collaborate across functions and build strong working relationships.
Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
Strong presentation and communication skills, both verbal and written.
Proficiency in Google applications and retail management systems.
Exceptional ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable strategies.
Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners and senior leadership.
Strong commercial and brand acumen, with a deep understanding of fashion trends and customer behavior.
Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and manage through conflict.
Strong leadership capabilities, with the potential to develop and mentor junior team members

Responsibilities

Collaborate to develop and execute seasonal assortments that align with financial goals, customer expectations, and market trends.
Analyze sales performance and market trends, identifying growth opportunities and risks, and recommending actionable strategies to improve sales and manage inventory.
Own the day-to-day operational functions, including order management, sample coordination, pricing updates, and system maintenance.
Conduct competitive market research, analyzing assortments, pricing, and promotions to inform product development and pricing strategies.
Work closely with Planning and Design teams to ensure the product assortment reflects key product attributes and meets financial targets.
Support cross-functional teams, such as Production, Marketing, and Visual Merchandising, to ensure timely product launches and alignment with brand objectives.
Present product assortment in key meetings, such as investment reviews, with clear product stories to gain cross-functional and leadership alignment.
Act as the subject matter expert in the category, staying informed of emerging trends and customer insights to help drive future product development.
Manage in-season markdowns and inventory tracking to optimize sales performance and reduce excess inventory.
Support the development of new product assortments, including roadmaps, style selection, and product launches.
Collaborate with Marketing to ensure product is accurately represented in all channels, including digital platforms.
Contribute to cross-functional discussions to ensure product delays and launch timing are communicated effectively to all stakeholders.