Merchant - Knits & Sweaters - Men's

J.Crew Factory; New York (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

J.Crew Factory seeks a Merchant for Men's Knits & Sweaters to own end-to-end product strategy for a key knit category. The role blends creative vision with analytical rigor, partnering with Design, Planning, Marketing, and Visual to deliver compelling assortments that resonate with our customers.

As a senior merchant, you will guide pre-season strategy, manage budgets with Planning, analyze trends and competition, and influence across teams to execute a cohesive line.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in a merchant or buying role within apparel or fashion retail.
• Strong analytical skills to translate data into strategies.
• Strong business acumen with understanding of retail metrics and buying principles.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities.
• High taste level with passion for fashion and trend-right products.
• Proven ability to collaborate across design, planning, and marketing teams.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Season: translate trends into commercial strategy and present to cross-functional teams.
• Plan budgets with Planning and strategize opportunities for the department.
• Analyze seasonal data, trends, assortment, and competition to guide strategy.
• Provide design feedback on silhouette, fabric, and color based on strategy.
• Build design roadmaps with monthly newness needs and carry-forward direction.
• In Season: approve fits and ensure alignment with aesthetic and quality standards.
• Review sales, receipts, markdown cadence, and style-color counts with Planning.
• Analyze competitive environment to inform leadership recommendations.
• Plan merchandise buys by quarter using data-driven strategies and budget.
• Translate indicators into actionable information to drive results.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Styling, and Visual to elevate key items.

Skills

Analytical skills

Business acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Organization & prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field

Job description

The Merchant, Men's Knits & Sweaters is a key merchant role on the J.Crew Factory men's team, responsible for owning the end-to-end product strategy for one of our most important knit categories. This role blends creative vision with analytical rigor, partnering closely with Design, Planning, Marketing, and Visual to bring compelling assortments to life that resonate with the J.Crew Factory customer. We welcome candidates from diverse professional backgrounds who bring curiosity, a strong point of view, and a passion for product.

Pre-Season

• Understand trend analysis and translate trend to commercial big ideas, identifying the next big thing
• Present pre-season strategy to the cross-functional team
• Partner with Planning to strategize budget and departmental opportunities
• Analyze seasonal and hindsight information, trends, product assortment, and competition to develop the strategy
• Participate in Design Board Reviews and provide feedback on silhouette, fabric, and color based on hindsight and strategy
• Build the Roadmap for Design articulating newness needs by month with AUC targets, as well as clear direction on carry-forward products

In Season

• Approve garment fit on key products and buys, ensuring product execution meets the design aesthetic and commercially acceptable quality standards
• Drive partnership with Planning and Allocation on reviewing sales, receipts, markdown cadence, and style-color counts
• Analyze the competitive environment and use that knowledge to positively impact results, making recommendations to leadership
• Utilize product strategies and analytical results to plan all merchandise buys in accordance with budget for each quarter; present the line at assortment and investment reviews
• Evaluate financial and business indicators, assess reports, and translate data into actionable information to drive results
• Partner with Marketing, Styling, and Visual to ensure key items and big bets are elevated and supported by the cross-functional team

Qualifications:

Required:

• 6+ years of experience in a merchant or buying role within apparel or fashion retail
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable strategies
• Strong business acumen with a demonstrated understanding of retail financial metrics and buying principles
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously
• High taste level with a genuine passion for fashion and an eye for trend-right, commercially viable product
• Proven cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence and partner across design, planning, and marketing teams

Preferred:

• Experience in men's knits, sweaters, or similar knit categories, with knowledge of yarn weights, gauges, and seasonal fabrications
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related field is a plus, but not required