Associate Merchant, Petites/Dresses (WHBM)

KnitWell Group; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KnitWell Group in Fort Myers, FL is seeking a merchandising professional to drive sales, margin, and inventory strategies for multiple brands. You will partner with leaders to plan assortments, manage buys, and optimize distribution across stores and online.

The role emphasizes strong vendor relationships, market analysis, and cross-functional teamwork to deliver compelling product stories and profitable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree strongly 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 multitask and complete projects on time.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Broad based business acumen.
• Ability to multi-task and work with cross-functional teams.

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.
• 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.
• Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team. Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best. (if has direct reports).
• This position may be found in multiple brands. Some duties may vary from brand to brand.

Skills

Multitasking

Communication

Team collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

About us Built on the foundation of fashion's most iconic color contrast - White + Black - WHBM inspires independent women to embrace their power and femininity through modern yet timeless styles. We're proud to be a place for passionate people to learn, grow, and build empowered careers.

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.
• 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.
• Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team. Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best. (if has direct reports).
• This position may be found in multiple brands. Some duties may vary from brand to brand.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly 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 multitask and complete projects on time
• Effective presentation skills
• Broad based business acumen
• Ability to multi-task and work with cross-functional teams

#LI-CS Location: Corporate FAS Retail Services - Fort Myers, FL 33928 Position Type: Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America - Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.