Retail
Senior Merchandiser, LOFT Sweaters
About LOFT
Out first store opened in 1998 at Great South Bay in Long Island. Today, we have 544 stores in over 46 U.S. States, with plans for more than 10 stores in Canada and Mexico. We employ nearly 10,000 people. Over 250,000 customers visit LOFT.com each day, and we connect with millions daily through e-mail, social media, and in our stores. We ship our clothing to 100 countries internationally.
We believe that there’s beauty in the details.
We strive for a sense of ease and effortlessness.
We embrace a modern approach to femininity.
We are an open creative space – where anything is possible.
We use neutral tones to stay grounded and make colors shine brighter.
We believe you should never sacrifice comfort for style.
We know that a great piece of clothing can go from day to night, work to weekend.
We are a sounding board, a shoulder to lean on. A happy place.
We’re a large company, but we always remember to act small.
About the Position
The Senior Merchant develops and drives business strategies to meet or exceed departmental financial objectives for multiple and/or high volume departments. Builds a collection that is consistently client focused and brand appropriate in collaboration with functional partners. Leads the CFT and influences the division (50% tactical, 50% strategic).
Responsibilities
• Financial/Operational:
Accountable for delivering department financials
Analyze and drive the business based on sales, history, company, and market trends
Own changes to plans based on Merchandising strategies
Responsible for vision and execution of collection that ties back to financial plans
Partner with Planning to use MMPR as a tool to maximize opportunities and mitigate risks at the department level. Drive all strategies
Approach departmental strategy with a global perspective, leveraging other departments and cross-functional areas to maximize brand potential
• Marketing/Visual:
Ensure marketed/mailer messages reflect big ideas
Partner with Visual to ensure store set reflects big ideas and key items have dominant placement
•Strategy:
Focus on developing and driving strategies across cross-functional team
Ensure department strategies sync with division strategies; Develop longer term department strategies (annual vision); Lead the CFT in executing to strategies by providing overall context and vision and ensuring alignment
Integrate the bigger company and retail landscape into department strategies
Responsible for framework strategy in partnership with Design; Identify opportunities for growth/decline by classification; Ensure assortment supports department and brand strategies; Ensure balance across all attributes
Confirm style and aps ranking and ensure it maps back to overall department strategy.
Analyze broader competitive information and make recommendations to manager on how to integrate information into business; Articulate business impact and interpret/anticipate the competition's tactics through observation of their in-season trends, utilization of retail space, co-branding, etc
Work in stores once a quarter; Share observations at Merchant staff meetings; Use information to inform business and product decisions; Represent client in all fittings
Demonstrate a deep understanding of competitive pricing and positioning; Drive retail and promotional strategies to ensure business plans are realized.
• People Management:
Lead the CFT to drive results at the department level; Provide timely direction and clear communication to all CFT members.
Build relationships through effective collaboration that contributes to a high performing team; Participate as a solution-oriented team member; Cultivate effective partnerships
Cultivate talent and lead by example; Clearly communicate expectations and implications; Get things done through others by delegating effectively; Take ownership for direct team and the business; Filter the high points from the details; Train future leaders; Manage up, down, and across with results
Requirements
• BA or equivalent, 5-7 years’ experience in Merchandising
• Strong leadership abilities and ability to influence others across functions
• Strong decision making capabilities; strong point of view and negotiation skills
• Strong analytical skills and clear understanding of financial measurements and how to impact them
• Ability to take analysis into action, execute to timelines and provide timely solutions
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrate the organizational ability to facilitate multi-tasking in a fast-pace environment
• Strong fashion sense with a sense of brand and client needs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications