Merchant

Express•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Merchant develops a product assortment strategy and line plan for a product category that supports brand objectives and delivers sales and profit targets. In collaboration with cross-functional partners, the Merchant delivers departmental plans and helps achieve financial goals for the division and company. The role uses sales history and market trends to build a successful business, and analyzes in-season financial reporting to identify opportunities and risks. The Merchant recommends ways to increase sales and reduce markdowns, while managing inventory and product delivery decisions such as purchase quantities, sizes, colors, assortments, and samples.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, retail merchandising, or fashion merchandising.
5–7 years of progressively more significant merchant experience in department and/or specialty retail, preferably apparel.
Strong presentation and communication skills.
Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
Proficiency in conflict management and problem solving.
Ability to identify, develop, and retain talent.
Achievement orientation and demonstrated leadership potential.
Strong sense of urgency.
Strong mentoring and teaching skills.
Proficient computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to think strategically and tactically.
Strong fact-based and intuitive decision-making skills.
Ability to travel domestically and some internationally.
Exceptional leadership capabilities and ability to influence cross-functional partners.
Ability to grow and develop talent.

Responsibilities

Deliver the assortment for a product-specific area.
Develop merchandising strategy and influence design and marketing in support of brand objectives.
Align with Production & Sourcing, Tech Design, Design, Planning & Allocation, eCommerce, Visual, Marketing, Store Operations, and Finance.
Understand the customer through concentrated profiling and engagement.
Conduct competitive patterning, analytics, qualitative research, and store visits.
Manage read-and-react strategies, including testing.
Provide a customer assortment with a cohesive point of view that works within the complete brand vision.
Identify whitespace in the business and fill it with volume-driving ideas.
Identify key trends from fashion runway shows and the marketplace.
Create, manage, and build lifestyle assortments and outfits to tell a cohesive story.
Drive a merchandising culture focused on engagement.
Analyze in-season financial reporting, identify sales upside and risks, and recommend actions to increase sales and reduce markdowns.
Balance market trends, inventory management, and product delivery when determining purchase quantities, sizes, colors, assortments, and samples.