Associate Merchant

bluemercury • New York, NY

3d • $81,840 - $136,320

About The Position

The Associate Merchant elevates Bluemercury’s competitive position by buying merchandise to drive sales and profitability across stores and online for an assigned specialty category. The role works with existing vendors to curate a distinguished assortment and seeks new, differentiating vendors to meet customer demand. It focuses on sales, gross margin, and inventory-turn objectives, and develops vendor strategies in collaboration with Planning to analyze and respond to sales trends.

The Associate Merchant monitors performance and responds to changing circumstances, manages inventory and the Rolling Operating Forecast (ROF), develops customer-focused assortments, and partners with teams across the business to optimize product presentation and sales. The position also manages vendor negotiations and order, item, and shipping processes. Other duties may be assigned. The job description is not all-inclusive and may be amended by Bluemercury, Inc. at any time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Practice open and continuous communication, keep others informed, and present information clearly and concisely.
• Excellent leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across functional lines and at many levels.
• Ability to think creatively, strategically, and technically.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on department and company needs.
• Knowledge of MS Office computer programs.
• Ability to adapt to changing and ambiguous situations and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor performance, develop action plans to mitigate risks or respond to changing circumstances, and execute plans in a timely manner.
• Strategically plan, manage, and control inventory, including the Rolling Operating Forecast (ROF), to optimize sales and margin.
• Create compelling assortments tailored to Bluemercury customers; collaborate with the Visual Merchandising (VM) team on planograms and in-store display programs, including regionalization; and make recommendations to the Merchant/Director and Head of Merchandising.
• Negotiate with vendors for Return or Vendor (RTV) and Mark Down Dollar Allowance (MDA) money.
• Execute and reconcile order and item creation and maintenance, as well as shipping management.
• Partner with Stores, Marketing, and Digital teams to optimize assortment presentation and drive sales.
• Partner with Planning to forecast demand and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Monitor beauty industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging brands.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level