The Merchant position is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and selection of merchandise to optimize sales growth and contribute to bottom line profit for their given department(s). This position executes quarterly buy strategies at the style/color level, exhibits a passion and eye for product, conducts in-depth analysis, both financial and trend, and leads collaborative cross-functional partnerships.
What We Offer: Growth! Here at Talbots, our goal is to give you the opportunities to grow with us. Our Performance Feedback Program allows for healthy career conversations and goal setting throughout the year.Condensed Work Week! If we have no work obligations and have fulfilled our 40-hour week, our Life-Work balance approach allows for us to start our weekend at 1 PM on Fridays.Complete Benefit Package! Our benefits kick off the first day of the month after your start date! Discover more about our full benefits package here. We have competitive time off, including paid time to volunteer within the community.Merchandise Discounts! Our associates receive 50% off Talbots and select Haven Well Within brand items. Additionally, you may also be eligible for discounts at the brands across KnitWell Group.What You'll Do: Omni-Channel: Directly responsible for the strategy, development, and collaborative execution of the product to optimize sales growth and contribute to the bottom-line profit.Analyze business performance on a weekly basis and present results to cross-functional and leadership teams.Hindsight prior seasons through extensive product, trend, and competitive analysis to plan for the next season.Build seasonal frameworks, work collaboratively to ensure strategies are in place to maximize business opportunities as well as seasonal trends.Drive partnership with Design team to evolve our proven core product and introduce merchandise that is new, trend right, works within our brand filter, and moves the business forward.Utilize both product strategies and analytical results to plan all merchant buys, in accordance to budget, for each quarter and present investments at product investment review.Utilize merchandising buy tool to plan all merchandise buys to the style/color level.Drive partnership with Planning and Inventory Management on reviewing sales, receipt, and style/color counts; partner on managing in-season business sales results, promo, and markdown cadence.Drive partnership with Sourcing to achieve target IMU plans, make seasonal fabric projections, participate in discussions on costs, deliveries, and other vendor related matters.Drive partnership with Visual and Marketing teams to ensure product placement, presentation and storytelling are all executed according to strategy or current business trend.Develop understanding of the HWW customer and where she shops. Curate product selections that are complimentary to the brand and to the customer's preference.Responsible for developing strong, collaborative partnerships with cross-functional teams across channels and other business areas; approach all working relationships in a tactful and effective way.Initiate and perform additional ad hoc analytical assignments as requested.Direct: Maintain knowledge of catalog and web industry trends, shop competition frequently.Analyze direct business metrics, evaluate customer demand performance in conjunction with sales.Oversee and attend catalog layout reviews and web thumbnail reviews, ensure accuracy and placement.Oversee review of all catalog and web content for department as released, work with teams to ensure accurate product representation.Store: Maintain knowledge of retail industry trends, shop competition frequently.Work with Allocation partners to analyze performance in store volume group segmentations.Oversee and attend store floor set layout reviews, ensure accuracy and placement.Who You Are: Bachelor's degree5+ years of experience in buying, planning and/or inventory management roleProficiency in Microsoft Office, with intermediate level to advanced Microsoft Excel skillsInnate sense of fashion and ability to analyze and translate trendsPossess analytical skills, ability to draw smart conclusions and make thoughtful recommendationsStrong organizational skills, ability to multitask, prioritize and complete tasks on tight deadlinesExcellent attention to detail, understands importance of accuracy and thorough completion of tasksStrong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a teamStrong writing and presentation skillsMust be able to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environmentMust be a creative and critical thinker, with the ability to problem solveMust be self-motivated, driven to succeed and have a passion for learning
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