Merchant- Dresses and Skirts

About the Role

The Merchant, Dresses & Skirts is a key merchant role on the Madewell women’s apparel team, responsible for owning the end-to-end product strategy for one of our most trend-focused categories. This role blends creative vision with analytical rigor, partnering closely with Design, Planning, Marketing, and Visual to bring compelling assortments to life that resonate with the Madewell customer. We welcome candidates from diverse professional backgrounds who bring curiosity, a strong point of view, and a passion for product.

Responsibilities

Pre-Season

• Understand trend analysis and translate trends into commercial big ideas, identifying the next big thing.
• Present pre-season strategy to the cross-functional team.
• Partner with Planning to strategize budget and departmental opportunities.
• Analyze seasonal and hindsight information, trends, product assortment, and competition to develop the strategy.
• Participate in Design Board Reviews and provide feedback on silhouette, fabric, and color based on hindsight and strategy.
• Build the Roadmap for Design, articulating newness needs by month with AUC targets, as well as clear direction on carry-forward products.

In Season

• Approve garment fit on key products and buys, ensuring product execution meets the design aesthetic and commercially acceptable quality standards.
• Drive partnership with Planning and Allocation on reviewing sales, receipts, markdown cadence, and style-color counts.
• Analyze the competitive environment and use that knowledge to positively impact results, making recommendations to leadership.
• Utilize product strategies and analytical results to plan all merchandise buys in accordance with budget for each quarter; present the line at assortment and investment reviews.
• Evaluate financial and business indicators, assess reports, and translate data into actionable information to drive results.
• Partner with Marketing, Styling, and Visual to ensure key items and big bets are elevated and supported by the cross-functional team.

Qualifications

Required:

• 6+ years of experience in a merchant or buying role within apparel or fashion retail.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable strategies.
• Strong business acumen with a demonstrated understanding of retail financial metrics and buying principles.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High taste level with a genuine passion for fashion and an eye for trend-right, commercially viable product.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence and partner across design, planning, and marketing teams.

Preferred:

• Experience in bottoms or pants categories, with specific knowledge of non-denim fabrications and silhouettes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related field is a plus, but not required.

We welcome you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes. Our passion is scouting life-long learners who are driven by curiosity and feel connected to our brands.

Benefits

• Health & Well-being: Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel, and more.
• Associate Discount: Discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
• Summer Fridays: In addition to our hybrid work model, the office closes at 1:00 PM every Friday during the summer months.
• Community Impact: Support for the communities where we live and work through philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
• Winter Break: In addition to PTO, a winter break at the end of December for eligible full-time associates to refresh and recharge.

Note: Availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to work location and employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements.

Pay

Salary Range: $86,400.00 - $111,700.00. The base salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work premises, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The base salary is one component of J.Crew Group’s competitive total rewards strategy, which also includes the opportunity for bonus, competitive benefits, and perks.