SUMMARY:
The Assistant Merchandiser will work with Senior Merchandise Manager and be responsible for supporting and helping to achieve company sales and profit objectives by identifying product opportunities and monitoring overall merchandising process.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Participates in building merchandise strategies and seasonal line plans to create commercially viable and profitable assortments that meet internal margin goals.
* Participates in the editing of the line at all stages of the process (line boards, proto samples, sales samples) to create a collection that aligns with the brand strategy and customer expectations.
* Be an expert on target customer and competitive landscape and compile competitive analysis reports as needed.
* Gathers relative competitive pricing information for categories of focus.
* Helps track best and worst sellers across all business units and relates information to future development.
* Participates in seasonal Adoption, Line Review, Launch, and Market Hindsight meetings and uses information to support future merchandise strategies.
* Supports the hindsight for area of focus based on final buy.
* Manages and maintains all sample lines for the brand in addition to checking out samples to all appropriate groups as needed.
* Manages market prep from sample check-in, organization, and showroom set-up for all product lines.
* Creates global line lists and communicates updates/changes to all business units and internal product teams.
* Manages merchandise tools including style edit forms, color flow charts, best seller charts, and French translation chart seasonally.
* Fact checks product specific information and web descriptions. Provides product knowledge information for ecommerce teams as needed.
* Performs miscellaneous administrative duties within department such as meeting logistical planning and assistance with presentations.
* Creates effective working relationships with:
+ Merchandising partners to ensure a cohesive message across the brand
+ Design to facilitate a commercially relevant global line
+ Sales and Buying teams fostering two-way communication
+ Production partners to ensure smooth execution and facilitate the generation of ideas
REQUIREMENTS:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Merchandising or related field
* Minimum 1 year previous related experience in Merchandising or Product Development in wholesale or vertical retail environment
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Strong organizational and follow-through skills
* Strong analytical and conceptual creative abilities
* Ability to multitask and must have flexibility to manage shifting priorities
* Detail oriented, proactive, takes initiative
* Understanding of and passion for the Original Penguin brand
* Able to work in fast paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities
* Proficient in Microsoft Office, advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint
* Previous experience in PLM preferred