Merchant (hybrid)

The Merchant is responsible for curating commercial, global, trend right assortments to drive the merchandise strategy for a given department that meets or exceeds the financial goals for that respective area. The Merchant develops and leads a highly performing team. Delivering consistent results for key KPIs, such as sales and gross margin. This position collaborates closely with the Merchandise Manager and/or Director of Merchandising, as well as cross-functional partners. The Merchant keeps the customer at the center through evolving knowledge of the market, customer behavior, trends and product influence.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop robust seasonal merchandise assortment strategies, roadmap and considered investments for assigned area of responsibility within Global Merchandising that ties to financial plans and seasonal goals.

• Partner with design and PD to develop assortments that support category objectives

• Have consideration for key assortment aspect variables and KPI’s.

• Work with planner to align on investment roll up vs plans and sales forecasts

• Generate and maintain selling reports by season to provide data and analytical support

• Trade the business weekly, analyzing product performance and KPIs that can be used to make tactical business decisions. Take ownership of levers (MD, promotions, chasing opportunity, mitigating risk) to drive the business partnering with leads to action accordingly.

• Manage and oversee product tracking for department to ensure on time delivery. Analyze sales risk and elevate to upper management.

• Develop and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with Design, Product Development, Marketing, Planning, ISP and other merchandising partners to collaborate on seasonal buying process

• Partner closely with ISP team to determine appropriate in-store product placements that align with overall product and promotional strategy

• Expert in global competition for assigned department, understanding other retailers’ assortments, pricing and promotional strategies in comparison to Claire’s. Reports back findings, white space opportunities, and any relevant actions

• Full understanding of the Claire’s consumer – including shopping behaviors, trend appetite, product influence

• Provide analytical, creative, and managerial support to the Merchandise Manager/Director of Merchandising, partnering in day to day running of the department.

• Oversee execution and completion of team tasks which include sample tracking and management, creation, preparation and maintenance of reports and recaps, purchase order creation and maintenance

• Develop a collaborative team create and facilitate an effective work environment by coaching, developing and mentoring team, developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, modelling teamwork and maintaining open communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, business, or related field

• 5+ years’ merchandising or retail buying experience

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and solution oriented decision-making

• Strong organizational, planning, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrate effective leadership skills, being able to run business and work autonomously

• Sense of urgency with demonstrated success in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment

• Proactive, use initiative to navigate roadblocks

• Flexibility and the ability to prioritize multiple deliverables

• Thrive in business environments with developing structures

• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting

• Consumer led: understanding of current trends and how they apply to the Claire’s/Icing customer

• Innovative & open minded individual

• Team player

• Strong communicator

• Excellent retail math skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)

Claire’s is committed to adhering to all applicable company policies and federal, state, and local laws and regulations. All positions will be compensated at or above the legally mandated minimum wage for the location in which work is performed. The final compensation will be determined by various factors such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.

Benefits for full-time employees included medical, dental, and vision insurance, voluntary welfare plans, bonus plan eligibility, 401(k) match, vacation time, sick time* and paid leave.

Benefits for part-time employees included voluntary welfare plans, 401(k) match, vacation time, sick time* and paid leave in required states.

*Sick Time: For the State of Washington, all employees will accrue paid sick time at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

Claire's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants' needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require.

Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. To request accommodation, please email [email protected] . Only messages sent for this purpose will be considered.