International Merchandising & Business Associate

Summary: 

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and commercially minded International Merchandising & Business Associate to join our Global Licensing & Business Development team in New York. Reporting to the Senior Director of Licensing, this role will support the management and development of Perry Ellis and Original Penguin international distributors and partners that purchase from our seasonal collections. The Associate will assist the Senior Director in the day-to-day coordination of international partners, with a particular focus on merchandising, seasonal markets, sourcing, sales analysis, and retail support. This position will also serve as an important link between our international partners and internal teams including Merchandising, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, Sales, and Product Development, helping ensure that international needs are communicated internally and projects are executed on time.The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in fashion apparel merchandising or sourcing, excellent organizational skills, strong product sensibility, and an interest in developing a career in international fashion business.

International Business & Merchandising

• Assist the Senior Director with the day-to-day coordination and communication with international distributors and partners.
• Support international partners throughout seasonal markets and collection presentations, helping them navigate the collection and build assortments appropriate for their local markets.
• Work with the Senior Director and Merchandising teams to review international buys and help ensure alignment with the overall global assortment and brand strategy.
• Assist in preparing product presentations, line sheets, pricing information, samples, and other seasonal selling materials.
• Collect, organize, and consolidate seasonal forecasts and buys from international partners.
• Track product selections and identify common styles, categories, and commercial opportunities across international markets.
• Follow up with partners on open items, seasonal deadlines, product requests, and other business needs.
• Help analyze sales performance, product mix, pricing, and category opportunities by market.
• Support the Senior Director in preparing international business reviews, partner meetings, and presentations.
• Research competitive activity, product trends, pricing, and relevant developments across international markets.

Sourcing & Product Development

• Support communication between international partners and the Sourcing and Product Development teams.
• Coordinate international sourcing requests, product inquiries, and market-specific needs.
• Assist with special product developments and requests under the direction of the Senior Director.
• Track product development, costing, minimum order quantities, samples, and production timelines.
• Help consolidate demand across international markets to identify opportunities to meet minimum order quantities and improve sourcing efficiencies.
• Coordinate sample and product requests between international partners and internal teams.
• Follow up with Sourcing and Product Development teams to ensure international requests and projects remain on schedule.
• Help communicate relevant production, costing, and delivery information to international partners.

Market & Collection Support

• Play an active role in seasonal markets and collection presentations for Perry Ellis and Original Penguin.
• Help prepare international distributors ahead of market by sharing collection information, pricing, timelines, samples, and key product initiatives.
• Assist the Senior Director during international buying appointments and partner meetings.
• Support distributors during the buying process and help coordinate their selections with Merchandising, Sales, and Sourcing.
• Collect and consolidate international forecasts and preliminary buys during and after market.
• Maintain accurate seasonal trackers and follow up on outstanding selections, quantities, and product requests.
• Identify key products and common demand across countries and communicate findings to the Senior Director and internal teams.
• Support post-market analysis and reporting.

Retail Support

• Assist the Senior Director in supporting international partners operating Perry Ellis and Original Penguin stores, shop-in-shops, and department store corners.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Visual Merchandising teams on international retail needs.
• Help provide international partners with seasonal visual merchandising guidelines, marketing assets, campaign materials, and retail tools.
• Support new store and shop-in-shop openings by coordinating required information and materials with internal teams.
• Assist in coordinating seasonal retail initiatives and promotional activities.
• Collect photos, feedback, and information from international retail locations to help ensure consistency with global brand standards.
• Research competitive retail activity and share relevant trends and best practices.
• Help identify opportunities to improve product presentation and the overall brand experience across international retail locations.

Marketing Support

• Support communication between international partners and the Brand Marketing team.
• Coordinate international requests for campaign assets, product photography, logos, brand guidelines, and other marketing materials.
• Assist with marketing needs related to international store openings, shop-in-shops, events, and seasonal initiatives.
• Help ensure international partners have access to current brand materials and guidelines.
• Collect examples of international marketing executions and retail activations for internal review.
• Assist the Senior Director and Marketing team in maintaining brand consistency across international markets.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as a day-to-day coordination point between international partners and internal teams, under the direction of the Senior Director.
• Work closely with Merchandising, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, Sales, and Product Development.
• Coordinate product information, samples, pricing, line sheets, marketing assets, and other partner requests.
• Maintain calendars, trackers, and project timelines for international initiatives.
• Proactively follow up with internal and external teams to help ensure deadlines are met.
• Help organize meetings, presentations, market appointments, and international partner visits.
• Maintain clear communication and visibility on outstanding projects and priorities.

Reporting & Business Analysis

• Maintain international sales, forecast, order, and seasonal buy reports.
• Collect and organize sales information from international partners.
• Assist with analysis of sales performance, product categories, pricing, and regional opportunities.
• Help monitor seasonal performance versus forecasts and previous seasons.
• Prepare Excel reports and PowerPoint presentations for the Senior Director and management.
• Maintain accurate records of seasonal assortments, forecasts, orders, and partner initiatives.
• Support the preparation of business reviews and management updates.

Essential Skills

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Commercial mindset with a strong interest in merchandising, sourcing, sales, and retail.
• Strong product sensibility and understanding of fashion apparel.
• Ability to work effectively across different departments and with international business partners.
• Proactive, hands-on, and solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence interacting with internal teams and external partners.
• Analytical mindset and comfort working with sales, product, and forecasting information.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Technical Skills

• Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Experience with PLM, ERP, or merchandising systems is a plus.
• Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, International Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or a related field.
• 2–4 years of professional experience in apparel merchandising, sourcing, buying, wholesale, product development, or a related fashion role.
• Previous experience within the fashion/apparel industry strongly preferred.
• Understanding of apparel product development, merchandising, and sourcing processes.
• Experience supporting seasonal markets, collection presentations, or buying appointments is preferred.
• Experience working with wholesale customers, retailers, distributors, or international markets is a plus.
• Understanding of retail stores, shop-in-shops, and department store environments is a plus.
• Spanish or other additional languages are a plus.
• International experience or exposure to multiple markets is a plus.

Salary offered will be at the discretion of the Company and based on a candidate's qualifications.  For this position, the base salary will be between $85,000 - $90,000 annually.  Other benefits associated with the position for eligible associates are listed below.