Associate Merchandiser

Shortstorybox; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic startup dedicated to empowering petite women through innovative retail solutions. As an Associate Merchandiser, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping product assortments that resonate with customers. This role blends creativity with strategic planning, allowing you to make impactful decisions based on data analysis. Work alongside a passionate team in a fast-paced environment where your contributions will directly influence the shopping experience for millions. If you're ready to be part of a forward-thinking company that values boldness and modern womanhood, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401k with company match

Flexible PTO policy & paid holidays

Catered lunch on Fridays

Employee discount on merchandise

Company events

Work at a Y-Combinator backed startup

Qualifications

• 4+ years in women's apparel buying at a high-growth retail organization.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data.

Responsibilities

• Own 1-2 categories, ensuring alignment with merchandising strategy.
• Analyze sales data and market trends to shape product assortment.

Skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proactive mindset

Education

BA or BS degree

Tools

Excel

Google Suite

Job description

About Us:

Short Story is an award winning, technology-powered retailer dedicated to petite women 5'4" and under. Our mission is to create a seamless shopping experience for millions of petite women so they can dress with effortless confidence. As a fast-growing startup, we're revolutionizing retail with a data-driven learning system that leverages customer feedback to create exceptional, tailored products. We've been recognized by top publications like Forbes, Fortune and are backed by top institutional investors who share our vision of building the world's next great consumer brand.

At Short Story, we celebrate petiteness, boldness, and modern womanhood. Our culture combines an insatiable hunger for data, an unwavering commitment to creating superior products, and a hustle startup mentality. We have a strong sense of urgency. Since 2019, we've cultivated a team of dedicated problem solvers and fashion enthusiasts. We're excited for you to join us on this exhilarating journey.

The Role:

We are seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join our Merchandising team as an Associate Merchandiser. In this role, you'll be a key player in shaping our product assortment and driving business success by maximizing sales and profitability. You will blend creativity in product development with strategic planning and data analysis, ensuring that our assortment aligns with customer needs. This position offers the perfect balance between creative input and operational execution, empowering you to make a tangible impact on our clients' experiences.

Your Responsibilities:

Product, Strategy & Assortment

• Take ownership of 1-2 categories, ensuring alignment with the merchandising strategy and product execution.

• Serve as the go-to expert for ensuring data accuracy across sample development and production processes.

• Organize and lead dynamic monthly meetings, driving clear communication, seamless operations, and actionable outcomes for team success.

• Possess a keen eye for product trends, with the ability to develop and curate coveted, on-trend products that resonate with customers.

• Analyze sales data, market trends, and customer insights to uncover opportunities and mitigate risks, shaping an informed and impactful product assortment.

• Act as the vital bridge between Merchandising and Marketing, coordinating high-impact marketing initiatives and on-site photoshoots.

• Develop and execute strategic merchandise plans that align with company objectives and maximize growth.

• Possess a clear understanding of retail financial measurements and how to impact them.

• Partner closely with vendors to bring product concepts to life, from initial design through to final production.

• Collaborate across departments—including product development, operations, styling, and engineering—to ensure smooth alignment and execution of all functions.

Who you are:

Qualifications:

• Education: BA or BS degree preferred.

• Experience: 4+ years of consecutive experience in women's apparel buying at a high-growth retail organization; planning experience is a plus.

Skills:

• Proven ability to solve problems with a proactive, hands-on approach, driven by a “get things done” mentality.

• Exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and committed to ensuring accuracy in every task.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make insightful, data-driven decisions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, compelling presentations.

• Demonstrates initiative, with a proactive mindset to start tasks quickly and meet deadlines while maintaining curiosity and adaptability.

Technical Proficiency & Preferred Experience :

• Advanced expertise in Excel and Google Suite, with a strong aptitude for learning new technical applications.

• Familiarity with the subscription business model is highly desired

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits

• 401k with company match

• Flexible PTO policy & paid holidays

• Catered lunch on Fridays and company events

• Employee discount on merchandise

• Opportunity to work at a Y-Combinator backed startup alongside a dedicated and experienced founding team

Short Story is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and a work environment free of discrimination and harassment for all employees and applicants. We work diligently to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.