Assistant Merchant - Unsubscribed

Position Title:  Assistant Merchant - Unsubscribed

Position Summary:

Assist/partner with Merchant in analyzing business results and seasonal competitive trends, communicating decisions and key product/departmental information, and in supporting daily operational functions to successfully affect the department’s business. 

Responsibilities:

Business Analysis

• Rank the line weekly and make observations. Analyze current business and deliver recommendations for change.
• Review/analyze the assortment and recommend appropriate changes for assigned department(s).
• In partnership with the Planning team, analyze performance and plans to look for sales and margin opportunities.
• Cross-functional team communication: present ideas and influence the cross-functional team in major milestone meetings to drive assortment deviations for product categories.  Ensure all channels are informed of business results and assortment changes.

Trend

• Understand direct competition + runways (and current/future trends in general) regarding trend, placement, and pricing throughout the industry and how that applies to our customer / brand.  
• Quickly identify and adapt to changes/trends occurring in the business / marketplace and work closely with Design team and Merchant Leadership to interpret trends for assigned areas.

Operational Support

• Pass buy information for PO entry (on time / hitting deadlines, which differ by vendor / season / category); approve all PO’s for areas of responsibility, and approve PO updates in partnership with Merchant
• Communicate with all areas of the business as it applies to the purchase, shipping, delivery, receipt, ticketing, processing, pricing, and quality of merchandise.
• Respond to store level inquiries regarding pricing, ticketing, price-change file, and placement of merchandise.
• Communicate with production and MOS team regarding purchase order placing and updates, shipping/packing, etc.
• Track all shipping for product and speak to shipping information during weekly merchandising meetings.
• Input and ensure accuracy of all product attributes to allow for accurate data analysis, seasonal recapping, and pre-season planning. 
• Assist in hitting photo sample request & receipt deadlines in order to adhere to marketing and photoshoot schedule and consistently communicate updates and/or impacts to manager and cross functional team
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Able to work in a hybrid environment; some work may be performed remotely but essential functions must be performed in-person/in-office based on the needs of the business.
• In person/in-office collaboration is required, the frequency of such in-person/in-office collaboration (e.g., portion of week, entire week) is dictated by business needs. Such collaboration includes work centralized around product development, milestone meetings, approvals, etc.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent. 
• 1+ years previous experience in retail merchandising preferred.
• Ability to strategize and strong skills in financial analysis.
• Understanding of aspirational brands and how to interpret their seasonal stories/messages for the Unsubscribed customer.
• Risk Taker - Carefully considers risk/reward, ready to try new ways of doing things to improve learning.
• Forward Thinking/Innovative – Not satisfied with the status quo, ahead of the times, advanced views, creating something like nothing done or experienced before.
• Persuasive - Able to motivate others through the appropriate use of interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of a product, service, or idea.
• Proficiency in use of Excel, Google drive, & Internet applications.
• Some manual labor required (i.e., Carrying boxes of Merchandise, organizing samples).
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, project management, & planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.

Pay/Benefits Information:

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.  For additional information, please click here.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.