Merchandising Assistant

About the role

Supports Divisional Merchant/Sr. Merchant and Merchant teams in developing and managing the product assortments, vendor partnerships and ongoing product category business. Works with cross-functional partners to execute the product assortment strategy in accordance with the sales, margin and turnover goals for the assigned product category.

This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

Responsibilities

• Support Merchant team through vendor partnership and communication
• Support Merchant team in building and maintaining assortment plans and SKU counts
• Support Merchant team by working with cross-functional partners to execute assortment strategies
• Work with Catalog/Marketing team to execute in-season product assortment
• Communicate promotional details to all cross-functional partners
• Provide SKU/ assortment information to Merchandise Operations for input
• Develop recommendations for product assortment strategies, based on targeted research and analysis, to achieve specific margin objectives
• Execute exit strategies as needed
• Conduct competitive intelligence and use information to identify opportunities and challenges for in-season business and future seasons
• Support Merchant teams with negotiating product costs, terms, and shipping/return issues
• Support Merchant teams by investigating and handling field and/or store issues

Requirements

• Strong detail orientation, organized, ability to multi-task
• Strong oral and written communication skills sufficient to communicate credibly and effectively at all levels of the organization
• Team player with a focus on collaboration
• Proficient learner of planning and Merchant systems
• Microsoft Office proficiency, including Microsoft Excel

Qualifications

• BA/BS preferred
• Previous experience in merchandising and/or related experience preferred