Merchant

Merchant

Reports to: Merchandising Manager or Sr. Merchant

Position Summary: Weissman / Dancewear Solutions is a national Recital Costume/Dancewear catalog/web retailer and manufacturer that is experiencing rapid growth. The Merchant position is responsible for developing and executing merchandising strategies that ensure the continued growth of the Performance Costume or Dancewear business.

Responsibilities:

Business analytics: Delivers sales performance by analyzing sales and assortment along with competitors’ assortments, pricing and catalog/web presentations. Use analysis to recommend with confidence the optimal product, pricing, and product positioning strategies to Design and Marketing.

Merchandising and Product Strategy: Utilize customer and industry knowledge to identify white space and opportunities for new big product strategies/business strategies to drive sales growth. This includes forecasting out 2 to 4 years out.

Product Development, Selection and Communication: Builds product and fabric roadmap, works cross functionally to develop products that meet target margins, finalizes assortment, colors, sizing, and pricing to be consistent with the Weissman brands and based on financial history, customer votes, competitive landscape, and emerging trends. Collaborates, communicates and influences product strategies to Design, Marketing, Sourcing and Planning Partners.

Inventory Management: Partners with Inventory Planning to Plan Annual Planning and product forecasting based on history, customer feedback, product strategies, trend. In addition, monitors sales trends to determine timing repeating of product or initial price changes to clearance.

Market Knowledge: Understanding of market trends and landscape to influence new product strategies and/or business opportunities.

Pricing: Determines item pricing based on a combination of Weissman financial goals using both pricing landscape with the competition and margin goals. Cost engineering garments and pricing with perceived value between products.

Quality: Collaboratively works with Design and Product Development team to ensure that all products meet or exceed the customer’s needs and expectations.

Training and Development of Merchandising Team Members: Consistently provides and demonstrates Leadership along with development feedback and IDP plans to grow the team for internal promotions or advancement.

Expected Outcomes:

Financial: Meets or exceeds planned sales and margin goals

Timelines: Meet all internal merchandising, product, purchasing and marketing deadlines as planned

Leadership: Successful introduction of new ideas, business opportunities and process efficiencies by confidently selling these ideas/processes internally while listening to and incorporating appropriate suggestions of management, cross functional peers and subordinates.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree or equivalent

5 to 7 years buying or product development (product concept to consumer) and merchandising experience

Demonstrated success in managing and growing a business

Strong analytical skills, understanding of financial metrics and understanding of business development

Highly developed communication and presentation skills

Demonstrated ability to work effectively cross-functionally and to influence ideas internally

Demonstrates strong leadership skills and Team member development

Independent decision making and problem solving skills

Organized and Accountable

All candidates considered must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drugscreen.

No calls please