Associate Merchant, Bras (Soma)

About the Role

This position partners with leadership to achieve sales, gross margin, and profit goals for a specific Omni-channel classification or department. Responsibilities include merchandise selection, pricing, promotion, and management techniques to maximize return on inventory investment and space in stores and online. The role supports the merchant team through daily tasks such as order writing, business analysis, presentations, product reviews, and vendor meetings.

Responsibilities

• Perform research and analysis of the market to identify trends and opportunities relevant to the core customer.
• Determine order quantities in partnership with leadership by style, size, and color, validating against Line Plan and OTB plan.
• Partner with Planning & Allocation and leadership to ensure appropriate distribution to maximize sales.
• Develop customer relationships to ensure merchandising and products align with customer preferences.
• Own the business for all merchandise, sales, inventory, and margin in partnership with leadership.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Planning, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Marketing, etc.) to build, assort, and plan the line for designated categories.
• Serve as a resource in sample management.
• Develop and execute seasonal merchandise plans and pricing strategies in partnership with leadership.
• Review sales plans and make merchandising decisions in collaboration with leadership.
• Partner with the Sourcing team to manage flow and timing of deliveries.
• Work with the Planning team to ensure proper buy depth based on sales expectations.
• Communicate with Product Management and Design on best and worst sellers.
• Coordinate with Digital Commerce Merchandising, Site Operations, and International teams on final assortment and updates.
• Manage all order entry and product attributing based on the approved buy plan; initiate P.O. revisions when applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years of experience with an apparel retailer.
• Excellent computer skills with an emphasis on Excel.
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to multi-task and complete projects on time.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Broad-based business acumen.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.