Merchant (Hybrid)

Merchant

The Merchant is responsible for curating commercial, global, trend right assortments to drive the merchandise strategy for a given department that meets or exceeds the financial goals for that respective area. The Merchant develops and leads a highly performing team. Delivering consistent results for key KPIs, such as sales and gross margin. This position collaborates closely with the Merchandise Manager and / or Director of Merchandising, as well as cross-functional partners. The Merchant keeps the customer at the center through evolving knowledge of the market, customer behavior, trends and product influence.

Main Responsibilities

Develop robust seasonal merchandise assortment strategies, roadmap and considered investments for assigned area of responsibility within Global Merchandising that ties to financial plans and seasonal goals.

Partner with design and PD to develop assortments that support category objectives

Have consideration for key assortment aspect variables and KPI's.

Work with planner to align on investment roll up vs plans and sales forecasts

Generate and maintain selling reports by season to provide data and analytical support

Trade the business weekly, analyzing product performance and KPIs that can be used to make tactical business decisions. Take ownership of levers (MD, promotions, chasing opportunity, mitigating risk) to drive the business partnering with leads to action accordingly.

Manage and oversee product tracking for department to ensure on time delivery. Analyze sales risk and elevate to upper management.

Develop and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with Design, Product Development, Marketing, Planning, ISP and other merchandising partners to collaborate on seasonal buying process

Partner closely with ISP team to determine appropriate in-store product placements that align with overall product and promotional strategy

Expert in global competition for assigned department, understanding other retailers' assortments, pricing and promotional strategies in comparison to Claire's. Reports back findings, white space opportunities, and any relevant actions

Full understanding of the Claire's consumer including shopping behaviors, trend appetite, product influence

Provide analytical, creative, and managerial support to the Merchandise Manager / Director of Merchandising, partnering in day to day running of the department.

Oversee execution and completion of team tasks which include sample tracking and management, creation, preparation and maintenance of reports and recaps, purchase order creation and maintenance

Develop a collaborative team create and facilitate an effective work environment by coaching, developing and mentoring team, developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, modelling teamwork and maintaining open communication

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field

5+ years' merchandising or retail buying experience

Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and solution oriented decision-making

Strong organizational, planning, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills

Demonstrate effective leadership skills, being able to run business and work autonomously

Sense of urgency with demonstrated success in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment

Proactive, use initiative to navigate roadblocks

Flexibility and the ability to prioritize multiple deliverables

Thrive in business environments with developing structures

Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting

Consumer led : understanding of current trends and how they apply to the Claire's / Icing customer

Innovative & open minded individual

Team player

Strong communicator

Excellent retail math skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)