As an Associate Merchandise Manager, you will be responsible for working with the Lands End Business Outfitters team merchant (and/or Senior Merchant) to drive categories through product development. Specific responsibilities include financial planning, mindful of bottom line profit and loss, development of new product, and evaluation of existing styles. You will work closely with Design, Creative, Quality, Sourcing, Marketing, Channel Merchants, Inventory and Planning, Technical Design, and Styling collaborating on product content of each catalog and product page/internet, quality, fit of styles and customer fulfillment to give our customer the best experience. This position would support both Strategic Growth Account initiatives and National Account merchandising operations.
Job Functions (Employees must be able to perform the job functions of this position satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the duties, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.)
- Bring strong third-party program experience, including quoting, assortment management, and program administration
- Responsible for driving and delivering financial plan and metrics for one or more product categories
- Develop and execute strategies that align with divisional and category strategies.
- Execute assortment plan from concept to customer that will hit financial targets deliver sales and profit objectives.
- Manage business In-Season. React to findings to drive current and future seasonal results.
- Analyze findings (financial, competitive analysis, etc.), draw conclusions and provide recommendations and actions to drive the business.
- Report on weekly business with suggested in-season actions and future actions.
- Lead collaboration with cross-functional teams to execute actions that deliver category and line targets and support seasonal strategies.
- Lead weekly Line Status/Omni meetings with cross-functional teams
- Manage assortment communication with international partners
- Conduct market research on the customer and the brand and apply that knowledge to product and business plans.
- Present strategies and key deliverables in milestone meetings with clarity and confidence.
- Certain categories may require the management/development of a Merchandising Assistant
- Ad hoc projects as needed by the team.
- Must follow all safe work practices, escalate unsafe conditions and report incidents.
Skills
- Strong experience in working cross functionally with a sales organization.
- Experience as an external vendor contact needed.
- Must be a team player with the ability to effectively interact with different communication styles.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage projects from concept to completion within time constraints.
- Exceptional presentation skills
- Ability to support decisions made for your category
- Proficient excel, IPLM, Quick view, OBIEE, AP, ILE, Business Objects
- Excellent analytical, decision making, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills.
- Must be organized and self-motivated.
Physical Requirements
- Constant sitting
- Frequent fine finger manipulation
- Occasional standing/walking
- Ability to travel as needed.
Education & Experience Requirements
- 1-3 years buying or merchandising experience either in catalog, specialty or department store environment or relevant experience in other related field (i.e. marketing, business management etc.)
- 2-3 years product development experience in apparel.
- B2B experience helpful