Markdown Optimization Analyst

Maurices Incorporated; Duluth (MN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Health Savings Account (HSA) option

Dental and Vision coverage

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

Maurices Incorporated is seeking a Markdown Optimization Analyst at our corporate Duluth, MN office. You will analyze merchandise lifecycle strategies and execute markdowns to maximize margin and enhance customer experience.

The role collaborates across Pricing, Promotions, Visual, and Marketing to drive profitable outcomes. Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with 3+ years in retail, strong Excel and MicroStrategy skills, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
• 3+ years retail experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail calculations and formulas; proficient with Excel & Microstrategy.

Responsibilities

• Drives maximized sales, margin & inventory through optimized markdowns and lifecycle pricing.
• Provides reporting and insights to support strategic development and actions to increase sales and profitability.
• Collaborates with Pricing & Promotions, Visual, and Marketing on markdown promotions and cross‑category analysis.

Skills

Retail calculations

Excel

Microstrategy

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Microstrategy

Job description

Brand Overview:

At maurices, we’re all about feel‑good fashion for real life. We’re committed to our service with style promise and to offering affordable fashion that takes women from workday to weekend—and all of life’s adventures in between. With inclusive sizing from 0–24, maurices is known for versatile styles across key categories like denim, dresses, tops, and more. We’ve been doing this since 1931, and today you’ll find us in over 800 communities across North America and online at maurices.com. At maurices, it’s more than clothes - it’s where fun, friendship and fashion come together! We believe in putting People First — and that starts with you. We’re a collaborative team that leads with kindness, values authenticity, stays curious, and moves with agility. We work smart, have fun, and support one another in a generously flexible environment that empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. We’re headquartered in the heart of Duluth, Minnesota overlooking the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. Our original hometown offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, four‑season adventure, and a vibrant college town atmosphere.

Ready to apply? We currently have an opportunity for a Markdown Optimization Analyst to join our team located at our Corporate Office‑maurices‑Duluth, MN 55802.

Position Overview:

The Markdown Optimization Analyst is responsible for analysis and execution support of markdown strategies based on merchandise lifecycle strategy in conjunction with in‑season results, driving maximized margin and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Essential Duties and Functions:
  • Drives maximized sales, margin & inventory through optimized markdowns via the following:
  • Lifecycle & Pricing Identifies and supports maintenance of systemic changes of styles as they pertain to retail pricing and product lifecycle. This includes but is not limited to identifying needed changes in business‑relevant UDA’s, supporting price adjustments, supporting store pricing IT requests, and supporting maintenance of lifecycle strategy notes on all styles between systems Identifies needed change in MDO business rules and settings when necessary Evaluates current markdown policies and procedures to identify improvement opportunities to profitability, sell through, and processes Implements MDO target strategies Troubleshoots systemic issues as they arise
  • Strategy Support Partners with cross functional team members, both internally and externally, to create optimal clearance markdown strategies to maximize margin and inventory management Implements a top‑down markdown process and ensures process is fully operationalized across MP&A Provides reporting and insights that aid in strategic development and actions that result in increased sales, profit, and/or unit liquidation. This includes but is not limited to analysis of the MD Planner Review File, Weekly Clearance Reports, Pre/Post MD Recaps, MD Calendars, and any additional needs Attends or reviews strategic product meetings, like OTB and PLC milestone meetings to gain understanding of liabilities and pre‑season markdown strategies Mines and translates data into meaningful insights and recommendations
  • Promotion Support Supports maintenance of promotional inputs into the markdown tool Provides product and location level clearance analysis to drive profits and/or unit liquidation Collaborates with Pricing & Promotions Team, Visual, and Marketing on markdown promotional events Supports cross‑category and clearance promotional analysis

Education/Skills and Experience Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required
• Experience: 3+ years related experience required Prior retail experience, with a thorough understanding of operations/dynamics to provide insight preferred
• Skills: Ability to take initiative Strong understanding of retail calculations and formulas Proficient with Excel & Microstrategy Organizational and analytical skills Detail oriented Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to quickly adapt to changing business priorities Ability to synthesize data in an easily digestible way. Ability to collaborate with others to maximize business process and drive financial results

Location: Corporate Office‑maurices‑Duluth, MN 55802

Position Type: Regular/Full time

Pay Range: : $0.00 - $0.00

This position is eligible for an annual incentive compensation based on company performance.

How We Work:

Our Smart Work program pairs the best of in‑person collaboration with the flexibility to work remotely, guided by business needs and the nature of each role. Corporate associates work at least three days a week in our offices, with teams setting core days to brainstorm, build relationships, and move work forward. The goal is simple: help you do your best work, stay connected to your team, and maintain healthy work‑life balance.

What We Offer:

• Choice of three medical plans, including a PPO plan or High‑Deductible plans.
• High‑Deductible plans offer the option of a Health Savings Account, with employer contribution.
• Additional benefits include Dental, and Vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care), Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage, Voluntary Life, Spouse, and Child Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability coverage.
• maurices provides, at no cost to our associates, Basic Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability coverage, access to our Wellbeing platform with Personify Health, and an Employee Assistance Program available for associates and their families.
• After 6 months of employment, you may be eligible for our 401(k), which offers an immediately vested Safe Harbor matching contribution.
• maurices supports continued education with our Tuition Assistance program, available after 1 year of employment.
• Associates also have access to PTO benefits, including vacation (with accrual or flexible options based on role), annual sick time awards, holiday pay, and two weeks of New Parent Leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified people at all levels. It is our policy in all personnel actions to ensure that all associates and potential associates are evaluated on the basis of qualifications and ability without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. We do not discriminate in any of our employment policies and practices. All associates are expected to follow these principles in all relationships with other associates, applicants, or others with whom we do business.

maurices is a women's apparel retailer that celebrates feel good fashion for real life. Established in 1931, maurices is known for its friendly service, trusted stylists, and for being guided by its greater purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of women who are the heart of its hometowns. In 2022, maurices introduced evsie, an apparel brand for tween girls, with an invitation to style with all their heart. maurices currently operates more than 900 stores in communities across North America with an evsie style shop available in 150 maurices stores and counting! Discover even more fashion at maurices.com.

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