Early Talent 2027 Merchants Merchandise Analyst Trainee

Kohl's; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohl’s is seeking a Merchandise Analyst Trainee in Milwaukee to build a foundation in merchandising and planning through business analysis, inventory execution, and operational support. You will partner with buyers and planners to support day‑to‑day performance and strategic decisions.

The role involves analyzing trends, maintaining reports, and coordinating with vendors to optimize inventory and product readiness. A data‑driven mindset and teamwork are essential to succeed.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Basic analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience in retail, merchandising, or inventory-related roles.
• Familiarity with reporting, data analysis, or inventory processes.
• Strong organization and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze sales, inventory, and performance trends to generate actionable insights and support business decisions.
• Develop and maintain weekly in-season, and post-season reporting to support business performance and inform actions.
• Manage inventory allocation, replenishment, and deployment strategies to optimize sales, service levels, and inventory productivity across channels and locations.
• Evaluate inventory health and service levels, identifying risks and recommending actions to improve inventory productivity.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end inventory flow by tracking purchase orders, coordinating with vendors and supply chain partners, and resolving issues.
• Maintain and update sku, style, or program level sales and inventory forecasts based on trends, inventory flow and on‑order activity to support of planning strategies and execution.
• Support buy plan execution by validating data and assisting with order writing and sizing.
• Own new store assortment building and including support, ensuring execution against inventory, budget and timeline objectives.
• Drive digital product readiness and performance by identifying opportunities and partnering with Digital Marketing and Item Production on product setup, content, offers and customer experience.
• Manage Direct Ship execution, including vendor onboarding, Direct Ship profitability analysis and setup, forecasting support, and ongoing vendor communication.
• Build strong cross‑functional and vendor partnerships to support business initiatives, operational execution, and continuous process improvement.
• Additional tasks may be assigned

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Communication

Teamwork

Tools

Excel

Job description

About the Role

As a Merchandise Analyst Trainee, you will build a strong foundation in merchandising and planning through business analysis, inventory execution, and providing operational support. You will help ensure the right products are in the right place, at the right time, while gaining exposure to assortment, inventory, and financial decision‑making. This role partners closely with buyers, planners, and cross‑functional teams to support day‑to‑day business performance.

What You’ll Do

• Analyze sales, inventory, and performance trends to generate actionable insights and support business decisions
• Develop and maintain weekly in-season, and post-season reporting to support business performance and inform actions
• Manage inventory allocation, replenishment, and deployment strategies to optimize sales, service levels, and inventory productivity across channels and locations
• Evaluate inventory health and service levels, identifying risks and recommending actions to improve inventory productivity
• Oversee the end‑to‑end inventory flow by tracking purchase orders, coordinating with vendors and supply chain partners, and resolving issues
• Maintain and update sku, style, or program level sales and inventory forecasts based on trends, inventory flow and on‑order activity to support of planning strategies and execution
• Support buy plan execution by validating data and assisting with order writing and sizing
• Own new store assortment building and including support, ensuring execution against inventory, budget and timeline objectives
• Drive digital product readiness and performance by identifying opportunities and partnering with Digital Marketing and Item Production on product setup, content, offers and customer experience
• Manage Direct Ship execution, including vendor onboarding, Direct Ship profitability analysis and setup, forecasting support, and ongoing vendor communication
• Build strong cross‑functional and vendor partnerships to support business initiatives, operational execution, and continuous process improvement
• Additional tasks may be assigned

What Skills You Have

Required

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Basic analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work with data and reporting tools (e.g., Excel)
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred

• Experience in retail, merchandising, or inventory‑related roles
• Familiarity with reporting, data analysis, or inventory processes
• Strong organization and time management skills

Essential Functions

The requirements listed below are representative of functions you will be required to perform, however you may be required to perform additional functions. Kohl’s may revise this job description from time to time. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, absent undue hardship.

• Ability to perform the accountabilities listed in the "What You’ll Do" Section
• Ability to maintain prompt and regular attendance as set by the company
• Ability to work at least 8 hours per day, occasionally longer when necessary to meet business needs, 5 days per week
• Ability to comply with dress code requirements
• Ability to learn and comply with all company policies, procedures, standards and guidelines
• Ability to give direction and receive, understand and proactively respond to direction from leadership and other company personnel
• Ability to work as part of a team and interact effectively and appropriately with others
• Ability to maintain composure and work in a fast paced environment while accomplishing multiple tasks within established timeframes
• Ability to satisfactorily complete company training programs
• Perform work in accordance with the Physical/Cognitive Requirements section

Physical/Cognitive Requirements

• Ability to use a personal computer for tasks such as communicating, preparing reports, etc.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and monitor activities across business units
• Ability to complete or oversee the completion of assigned projects in a timely manner
• Ability to comply with health and safety standards