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Associate Merchandiser
Vera Bradley
Roanoke, IN, United States
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FUNCTION
Develop, communicate and drive seasonal merchandise strategies for the business category. Meet or exceed financial goals for categories of responsibility. Partner with Design, Product Development, MP&A, Visual, Marketing and Sales to develop and execute a compelling line that meets or exceeds business and customer needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Vera Bradley customer and lifestyle attributes through decision making that supports the business trend and participating in cross-functional and departmental meeting communications.
• Plan annual and seasonal product strategies. Propose 2-5 year category strategies for areas of responsibility.
• Partner with Merchandising Manager and MP&A to develop and deliver seasonal category business plans that meet or exceed revenue and margin goals while maintaining an elevated Vera Bradley aesthetic
• Collaborate with other POD members to deliver accurate and comprehensive weekly, monthly and seasonal analyses of business and ensure future assortments are planned strategically and holistically to maximize opportunities
• With Manager’s leadership, manage multiple categories within a Merchandising POD comprising approximately 60% of the SKU count within Manager’s area of responsibility
• Identify product-driven business opportunities and risks in-season. Provide timely direction to business partners, reacting quickly to
Customer and business trends.
• Complete best seller analysis and lead presentation of hindsight meetings
• Deliver compelling seasonal category line plan (SKUs by style/fabric/color) by channel that deliver margin goals and revenue targets—both direct and indirect.
• Make recommendations on life cycle of products in categories of responsibility.
• Present assortment proposals to sales teams
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of FLEX and marketing products used for selling: Sourcebook, key Account book, catalogs, etc.
• Determine product tests needed, coordinate item development, objectives guidelines, locations, and timing.
• Competitive expert: Regularly shops and understands the competition and our own consumers to line plan at the appropriate MSRP and wholesale price.
• Market expert: Trend shops regularly to ensure our future assortments reflect the most current trends
• Anticipate future product needs: collaborate with Design to deliver Innovation Pipeline.
• Partner with Visual Merchandising and Marketing to compete visual walk-throughs that support financial goals and ensure that key ideas of the season and communicated consistently across channels.
• Partner with Planning team to validate seasonal and promotional buys.
• Provide mentoring, training, and development of merchant team.
• Assist in talent recruitment, performance evaluation, promotion and retention activities.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in business, retail management, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 4+ years merchant, assortment planning or related experience required
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization.
• Collaborative, while able to influence and persuade.
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers to handle situations with confidence and tact
• Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects.
• Flexible, adaptable with the demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment
• Ability to make decisions within guidelines impacting a range of standard and non-standard matters
• Able to solve complex problems with the ability to take a new perspective on existing solutions
• Ability to apply best practices and industry knowledge to improve products or processes
• High level of analytical thinking and attention to detail with strong aptitude in retail math
• Supports talent and workforce planning strategies that align with business goals.
• Ability to guide others through training and development feedback
◦ Excellent PC skills including Word and Power Point, advanced Excel
ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Office environment. Utilizing an office desk – sitting, reading, listening, or speaking with the ability to move intermittently throughout the day
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones
Occasional travel (25%)
Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process, please send an e-mail to applicationassistance@VeraBradley.com. Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.