Job Description

Job Title

Merchandising Professional

Job Description

Our client is a global consumer products company and industry leader in plush, toys, and home décor. With a strong retail footprint and longstanding partnerships across major retailers, they design, develop, and distribute trend-forward products that bring comfort, creativity, and joy to customers worldwide. They are looking for a detail-oriented merchandising professional with sharp critical thinking and collaboration skills to join their Kansas City office. Position Description: Merchant will assist in the overall business performance of defined categories 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 Merchant will be responsible for meeting sales and margin goals for a season, calendar adherence, and overall ownership of assigned seasons. The 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 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 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 the 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 deadline
• 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 a 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 in 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, and 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:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Merchandising or Marketing Focus
• Minimum 3+ 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 development, overseas sourcing, manufacturing process, importing, and costing
• Must have strong interpersonal skills to develop relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally, and to work effectively in a team approach
• Must have the ability to multitask on a daily basis. Critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational skills are important for success
• Must be professional, organized, detail-oriented and possess the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Comfortable and confident speaking with leadership
• They will demonstrate a high energy level and be a self-starter and a team player
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite and particularly Excel
• Preferred Skills: NetSuite experience a positive Analytical Proficiency Demonstrated technical capacity

Benefits:

Our client offers a standard benefits package, which can be discussed in detail towards the end of the interview process.

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