Merchant - Dresses & Skirts

JCrew • New York, NY

5d

About The Position

The Merchant, Dresses & Skirts is a key merchant on the J.Crew women’s apparel team, responsible for end-to-end product strategy for a versatile category spanning everyday and occasion dressing. The role combines creative vision and analytical rigor, partnering with Design, Planning, Marketing, and Visual to develop assortments that resonate with the J.Crew customer.

Before the season, the Merchant analyzes trends, seasonal and historical performance, product assortments, and competitors to develop commercial strategies and identify opportunities. The role presents strategy to cross-functional partners, collaborates with Planning on budgets and margin targets, participates in design reviews, and builds a design roadmap that identifies monthly newness needs, AUC targets, and carry-forward direction.

During the season, the Merchant approves fit on key products and buys, monitors sales and other business indicators, and works with Planning and Allocation on receipts, markdown cadence, and style-color counts. The Merchant uses financial and competitive analysis to recommend actions, plan merchandise buys within budget, present the line at assortment and investment reviews, and partner with Marketing, Styling, and Visual to support key items and major bets.

Candidates from diverse professional backgrounds are welcome. J.Crew values curiosity, a strong point of view, passion for product, and a desire to learn and contribute to the brands.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of experience in a merchant or buying role within apparel or fashion retail.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate data into clear, actionable strategies.
• Strong business acumen and demonstrated understanding of retail financial metrics and buying principles.
• Self-motivated and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High taste level, genuine passion for fashion, and an eye for trend-right, commercially viable product.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration skills and ability to influence and partner across design, planning, and marketing teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in dresses, skirts, or other wovens categories, including knowledge of fabrications, silhouettes, and occasion dressing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related field; a degree is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Understand trend analysis and translate trends into commercial big ideas, identifying emerging opportunities.
• Present pre-season strategy to the cross-functional team.
• Partner with Planning to strategize budgets, deliver margin targets, and identify departmental opportunities.
• Analyze seasonal and historical information, trends, product assortment, and competition to develop strategy.
• Participate in Design Board Reviews and provide feedback on silhouette, fabric, and color based on historical performance and strategy.
• Build the design roadmap, articulating monthly newness needs with AUC targets and clear carry-forward product direction.
• Approve garment fit on key products and buys, ensuring execution meets the design aesthetic and commercially acceptable quality standards.
• Partner with Planning and Allocation to review sales, receipts, markdown cadence, and style-color counts.
• Analyze the competitive environment and make recommendations to leadership to positively impact results.
• Use product strategies and analytical results to plan quarterly merchandise buys in accordance with budget; present the line at assortment and investment reviews.
• Evaluate financial and business indicators, assess reports, and translate data into actionable information to drive results.
• Partner with Marketing, Styling, and Visual to ensure key items and major bets are elevated and supported by the cross-functional team.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance for eligible associates and family members.
• Family planning support, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support.
• Fitness discounts and medical travel benefits.
• Associate discount across J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell.
• Hybrid work model and early office closure at 1:00 PM on Fridays during summer months.
• Community philanthropic efforts through the J.Crew Cares Program.
• PTO package and winter break at the end of December for eligible full-time Home Office associates.
• Opportunity for a bonus.
• Competitive benefits and perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed