Associate Merchant

Our worldwide brand leader client in the plush industry is hiring for an exciting Merchant - Associate position in their Kansas City office. They are looking for a detail-oriented merchandising professional with sharp critical thinking and collaboration skills. This role is hybrid being in the office M, W, TH and opportunity to work from home T and F unless there is an occasional business need. This is such an exciting organization to be a part of!

Role and Responsibilities

Associate Merchant will assist in the overall business performance of defined category or seasons and develop key relationships with both internal and external stakeholders – will partner with Senior Merchant / Director of merchandising. This role will support the execution of product line business plans and meet company and seasonal financial goals. The Associate Merchant will be responsible for meeting sales and margin goals for a season, calendar adherence, and overall ownership of assigned seasons. The Associate Merchant is someone with a strong desire to grow and contribute knowledge and skills in the industry and who enjoys team collaboration. While focusing on internal execution, the Associate Merchant must be knowledgeable and have good awareness at the retailer and consumer level. They will partner with Senior Merchants to develop a product line that represents the brand and is aligned with the merchandise strategy for each delivery. The Associate Merchant will be responsible for their own seasonal category. They will demonstrate a high energy level and be a self-starter and a team player.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Utilize the Merchant Process to ensure all cross-functional partners and leadership team are aligned to the seasonal model line being produced.
  
• Work with internal and teams for product concepts, branding and create various product and seasonal line assortments that meet the overall business goals, product strategy and profitability
  
• Facilitate seasonal meetings with the team to ensure key milestone deliverables are met
  
• Support Senior Merchant/Merchant with out of season – urgent requests/opportunities from sales team – building presentations and other tasks as assigned
  
• Understands the competitive marketplace product and trends – has a pulse on where the market is moving – outlines formats, colors, materials, and fabrics- compiles and communicates findings and opportunities
  
• Directly involved in all aspects of product development from initial concept, sampling through sourcing, price negotiations and execution to meet TNA and deadlines
  
• Develops model line summaries that enable the cross-functional team to fully understand consumer/customer needs and deliverables and associated tactical plans that provide direction to cross-functional partners on “how” to execute strategy
  
• Accountable for the model line assortment, ensures BOM accuracy on all materials/specifications, and GM’s and growing the category/season
  
• Presentation of formats & creative direction for product-to-product Core, Fashion, Trend – as well as SKU rankings – will partner with Assortment Planner to ensure balance amongst the line
  
• Fabric optimization – ensures that core fabrics are used across not only the seasonal line, but also the entire brand portfolio –
  
• SKU Rationalization – reduction of the long tail SKU’s that are not generating enough GM - or hitting MOQ’s – will be responsible for creating new SKUs that hit the GM’s and MOQ’s - Presents and communicates the seasonal product lines or category to internal management, stakeholders, as well as retailers.
  
• Works and communicates on daily basis directly with overseas vendors through product development, pricing, sample approval and production process.
  
• Drives strategic buy decisions and business performance of defined merchandise category with partnership with the Director of Merchandising
  
• Manages in-season business by analyzing sales and improving margins
  
• Works with internal planning, operations and logistics teams for PO issuing, production status, to order placement – ensures the Timing and Action (TNA) is being used between US and HK merchants
  
• This role will require domestic and international travel Requirements:
  
• Will require some nightly/morning calls with Hong Kong, China, and India
  

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Merchandising or Marketing focus
  
• Minimum 2-4 years related Merchandising or Product Development experience
  
• Understanding of key retail sales metrics and key merchandising requirements
  
• Self-motivated with excellent problem-solving skills
  
• Detail and task oriented. Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
  
• Experience and knowledge of product develop, overseas sourcing, manufacturing process, importing and costing
  
• Must have strong interpersonal skills to develop relationships with stakeholder both internally and externally, and to work effectively in a team approach
  
• Must have the ability to multi-task on daily basis. Critical thinking, problem solving and organizational skills are important for success.
  
• Must be professional, organized, detail oriented and possess the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  
• They will demonstrate a high energy level and be a self-starter and a team player.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and particularly Excel
  

Preferred Skills

• NetSuite experience a positive
  
• Analytical Proficiency
  
• Demonstrated technical capacity
  

ABILITY TO COMMUTE

• This job is on-site in Kansas City, MO
  
• Travel will be required up to 10%. May be international travel or domestic.