Position Purpose:

Responsible for executing the merchandising objectives to support a portfolio of merchandise. This includes, assisting the merchant with creating and maintaining vendor relationships, marketing products, developing product line strategies and reporting financial results. The Associate Merchant assists with making buying decisions for the assigned category and negotiates terms with suppliers to drive item selection and pricing. 

Key Responsibilities:

• 30% Supplier Relationship Management – Assists Merchant with influencing the supplier management strategy to support overall department strategy; works to improve all aspects of supplier relationship. May serve as a key contributor on various other key projects.

• 30% Financial Planning & Management – Assists Merchant with Implementing the financial strategy/ cost structure for a category and sets pricing.

• 20% Merchandising Execution – Assists Merchant with developing merchandising strategy to understand key business drivers (e.g. historical performance, industry/ competitive landscape, consumer segmentation). May serve as a key contributor on various key projects within a business function.

• 20% Assortment Selection – Assists Merchant with executing the business review of category/ categories on a regular basis; determining changes to product mix to better optimize assortment and drive innovation. 

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• This position typically reports to Senior Merchant or Merchant

• This Position has 0 direct reports.

Travel Requirements:

• Typically requires overnight travel less than 5% of the time. 

Physical Requirements:

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be eighteen years of age or older.

• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

• Working knowledge of presentation software (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint)

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with cross-functional teams

• Ability to draw accurate conclusions from financial documentation

• Demonstrated project management skills

• Ability to negotiate, handle complaints, settle disputes, and resolve grievances with both internal and external customers

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience with managing regional and national suppliers. Ability to manage sales typically in excess of $400M. Experience managing a business (financial, operational, process, people,
  technology etc). 

• Proven experience in merchandising execution, visual presentation, inventory management, channel management, and supplier management.

• Proven proficiency in both a brick and mortar and online retail environment

• Experience managing a large number of vendors simultaneously

• Comprehensive understanding of relevant products to make purchasing decisions

• Advanced understanding of internal and environmental sales drivers

• Merchandising and retail planning expertise

Minimum Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma and/or GED.

Preferred Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• 6

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

• No additional years of experience

Minimum Leadership Experience:

• No previous leadership experience

Preferred Leadership Experience:

• No previous leadership experience

Certifications:

• None

Competencies:

• Action Oriented

• Nimble Learning

• Collaborates

• Communicates Effectively

• Customer Focus

• Drives Results

• Financial Acumen