Assistant Merchant

Bath & Body Works; Reynoldsburg (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Onsite wellness center

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

40% merchandise discount

Job summary

Bath & Body Works in Columbus, OH is seeking an Assistant Merchant to support the development and execution of the seasonal product strategy. You will assist in new product development, pricing, promotions, and internal education across cross-functional teams.

You will coordinate development projects in Centric PLM, input data, manage paperwork, analyze weekly results, and help translate consumer insights into line plans and in-store opportunities.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of related work experience in brand development, merchandise buying and/or retail management.
• An eye for business with analytical and retail math skills.
• Be a self-starter and work independently producing accurate work.
• Ability to influence and lead through challenges, problem-solve and build a cohesive team.

Responsibilities

• Assist Senior Merchandiser on growth-driving brand strategy and planning, including new product development, pricing, promotions / sampling, internal associate education and training, competitive patterning, performance analysis and hind-sighting.
• Assist the creation of internal presentations to executives and cross-functional teams, from concept brainstorming to drafting documents to preparing meeting materials.
• Responsible for accurately coordinating new development projects, including data input within Centric, process paperwork (e.g. Project Initiation Forms, Design Requests, Product Briefs for all products, sampling and gift sets), costing analysis, and running communication flow to cross-functional team members.
• Support alignment on product description, claims, and aesthetics.
• Collaborate with Commercialization Services to monitor timelines, anticipate / communicate issues and drive deliverable dates on time.
• Supports the Merchant in developing a line plan that represents the Brand and is aligned with the seasonal merchandise strategy.
• Analyze data in weekly business meetings to share result driving insights, customer feedback, and in-store merchandising opportunities.
• Assist in meeting preparation, sample management, report evaluation and analysis. Assistant merchants are expected to share their POV and recommendations based on current results and category strategy.
• Research the competition: understanding other retailer’s assortment, pricing and promotional strategy.
• Visit stores regularly to proactively solicit feedback from customers and sales associates.

Skills

Brand development

Merchandise buying

Retail management

Analytical skills

Retail math

Independent worker

Influence & leadership

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Centric PLM

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

At Bath & Body Works, we believe everybody deserves to feel good. When you join us, you're part of more than an iconic fragrance and personal care brand — you become part of Gingham Nation, where people are at the center of everything we do.

We believe great associate experiences create great consumer experiences. When our associates feel supported, inspired and empowered, consumers feel it. Whether you're starting your career or building your next chapter, we invest in your growth so you can learn, lead and help create feel good moments every day.

The Assistant Merchant is responsible for supporting the execution of the creative product development, maintaining seasonal line plans, implementing testing strategies and cascading information to cross-functional teams for specific categories. They will assist in the delivery of sales and profit growth by helping manage the commercialization of new product launches, analyzing consumer insights to support key brand priorities and/or initiatives and supporting in-store product launches.

Responsibilities

• Assist Senior/Merchant on growth-driving brand strategy and planning, including new product development, pricing, promotions / sampling, internal associate education and training, competitive patterning, performance analysis and hind-sighting
• Assist the creation of internal presentations to executives and cross-functional teams, from concept brainstorming to drafting documents to preparing meeting materials
• Responsible for accurately coordinating new development projects, including data input within Centric, process paperwork (e.g. Project Initiation Forms, Design Requests, Product Briefs for all products, sampling and gift sets), costing analysis, and running communication flow to cross-functional team members
• Support alignment on product description, claims, and aesthetics
• Collaborate with Commercialization Services to monitor timelines, anticipate / communicate issues and drive deliverable dates on time
• Supports the Merchant in developing a line plan that represents the Brand and is aligned with the seasonal merchandise strategy
• Analyze data in weekly business meetings to share result driving insights, customer feedback, and in-store merchandising opportunities
• Assist in meeting preparation, sample management, report evaluation and analysis. Assistant merchants are expected to share their POV and recommendations based on current results and category strategy
• Research the competition: understanding other retailer’s assortment, pricing and promotional strategy
• Visit stores regularly to proactively solicit feedback from customers and sales associates

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of related work experience in brand development, merchandise buying and/or retail management
• An eye for business with analytical and retail math skills
• Demonstrate a passion for product and customer satisfaction
• Be a self-starter and work independently producing accurate work
• Ability to influence and lead through challenges, problem-solve and build a cohesive team
• Exceptional ability to enhance cooperative working relationships
• Able to multi-task and prioritize with a strong sense of urgency and ability to handle the stress that comes with working in a change-agile work environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) with experience using Centric PLM for data entry, project tracking, and product development support

Education

• Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience

Core Competencies

• Drives Results
• Action Oriented
• Collaborates
• Decision Making
• Nimble Learning

Benefits

Feeling good starts with you. We invest in benefits that support your well-being, growth and future, helping you thrive as a creator of feel good — every day. Benefits for eligible associates include:

• Robust medical, dental, vision and pharmacy coverage. Plus, access to our onsite wellness center and pharmacy located at the Columbus, OH home office.
• No-cost mental health and well-being support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) with company match and Associate Stock Purchase Program with discount.
• Opportunity for paid time off, paid parental leave and access to family building benefits.
• Home, auto and pet insurance and a company-provided Care.com subscription.
• Tuition reimbursement and scholarship opportunities for post‑secondary education.
• Enjoy complimentary products and a 40% merchandise discount so you can experience and share the brand you love.
• Visit bbwbenefits.com (https://careers.bathandbodyworks.com/benefits) for more details.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: Los Angeles Fair Chance In Hiring Ordinance (https://bca.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/Uploads/fciho/FCIHO%20Notice%20to%20Applicants%20for%20Private%20Employers%20-%20English%20ADA%20Final.pdf) , Philadelphia Fair Chance Law (https://www.phila.gov/media/20260428133610/Fair-Criminal-Records-Screening-Standards-Ordinance-amendments-2026.pdf?ogbsw7y28sd) , San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (https://media.api.sf.gov/documents/2025_FCO_Poster_June2025.pdf) , Washington Fair Chance Act Guide (https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Civil%20Rights%20Division/Fair%20Chance%20Act/FCA-Flyer_June%202026_English_Update.pdf?VersionId=mmfHLJ9an2.w58wsyA2a.Buxej.FZ06Y)

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not make employment decisions based on an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status, and we comply with all laws concerning nondiscriminatory employment practices. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for associates and job applicants with disabilities. Our management team is dedicated to ensuring fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, associate activities and general treatment during employment. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.

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