Associate Merchant, Bras (Soma)

Chico's FAS, Inc.; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Chico’s FAS, Inc. is seeking an experienced merchandising professional to lead omni-channel classifications and manage merchandise selection, pricing and promotions. You will partner with leaders to optimize inventory investment, store and online assortment, and collaborate on vendor meetings and product reviews.

The role supports order writing, business analysis, and presentations, while driving sales, gross margin and profit goals through strategic planning and execution.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with an apparel retailer.
• Excellent Excel skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Effective presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs market research analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
• Determines quantities in partnership with leader to order by style, size, and color; validate to Line Plan and OTB plan.
• Partners with Planning & Allocation to optimize distribution and maximize sales.
• Builds relationships with customers to reflect what they want to buy; owns business for merchandise, sales, inventory and margin.
• Manages order entry and product attributing based on approved buy plan; initiates P.O. revisions when applicable.
• Supports seasonal merchandise plans and pricing strategies with leadership.
• Coordinates with cross-functional teams including Planning, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Marketing, Site Merchandising Operations, and International.

Job description

With approximately 1,300 boutiques and outlets throughout the U.S., as well as an online presence for each of our brands, it takes sophisticated technology, resources and infrastructure to ensure the continued success of our businesses. From finance and accounting to technology and merchandising careers, we have diverse opportunities available for talented professionals to join our team of nearly 16,000 associates who share our commitment to excellence.

Position Objective

This position is responsible in partnership with leader for achieving sales, gross margin, and profit goals of a specific Omni-channel classification and / or department through the selection, pricing and promotion of merchandise and by utilizing appropriate merchandising and management techniques to maximize the company’s return on inventory investment and space in stores and online. Supports the merchant team through a variety of daily tasks including order writing, business analysis, presentations, and product review and vendor meetings.

Functional Responsibilities

• Performs research analysis of their market and identifies trends and opportunities that can be applied to the core customer.
• Determines quantities in partnership with leader to order by style, size, and color; validate to Line Plan and OTB plan.
• Partners with Planning & Allocation and leader to ensure the appropriate distribution to maximize sales of the business.
• Develops relationship with customer to ensure merchandising/products reflect what customer wants to buy.
• Owns business for all merchandise, sales, inventory and margin in partnership with leader.
• Partners with leader and cross functional team to build, assort, and plan the line for designated categories.
• Serves as a resource in sample management.
• Creates strong partnerships among cross functional areas including Planning, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Marketing, Site Merchandising Operations, International, Allocation, and Visual.
• Develops and executes seasonal merchandise plans and pricing strategies in partnership with leader.
• Reviews the sales plan and makes merchandising decisions in partnership with leadership.
• Partners with Sourcing team to manage flow and timing of deliveries.
• Works with Planning team to ensure proper buy depth based on sales expectations.
• Communicates with Product Management and Design on a recap of best and worst sellers.
• Ensures ongoing coordination with Digital Commerce Merchandising Site Operations and International teams on final assortment and any updates as needed.
• Manages all order entry and product attributing based on approved buy plan; Will initiate P.O. revisions when applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience with an apparel retailer
• Excellent computer skills with emphasis on Excel
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to multi task and complete projects on time
• Effective presentation skills
• Broad based business acumen
• Ability to multi-task and work with cross-functional teams

Chico’s FAS, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy and related medical conditions, lactation, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.