Merchant

Jacksonville, FL - Hybrid/Onsite

About VENUSVENUS® is a leader in stylish, on-trend designs in women’s clothing, swimwear and lingerie. Founded in 1982, the Florida-based brand pioneered swim separates and continues to drive newness in fit, fabric and design across all categories. Made for everybody, the collection is offered in a full range of sizes from 2-24. VENUS® is committed to inclusivity, as well as socially- and environmentally-responsible business practices that positively impact both people and the planet.

About the Position 

The Merchant is responsible for developing a product assortment strategy that supports the brand objectives, exceeds customer expectations, and delivers on sales & profit targets. The Merchant works in collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver/exceed department & financial goals for the division & company. 

Responsibilities

• Create and execute strategic direction for category focusing on building strong assortment architecture that supports total company strategies and growth plan.
• Perform competitive analysis to identify trends and opportunities and be able to be able to interpret this information to maximize Venus’ appeal to the marketplace
• Builds & maintains strong relationships with cross-functional partners, including Design, PD/Sourcing, Planning, Site Merchandising & Marketing 
• Partner with Design and PD/Sourcing on a seasonal basis to deliver assortment that supports category strategy & meets margin targets 
• Partner with Planning to determine seasonal buys and manage the flow of inventory 
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of target customer to ensure product & assortment deliver exceptional customer experience 
• Attend fittings and provide recommendations to align with merchandising needs
• Analyze business on regular basis, identifying opportunities & risks to pursue and formulating action plans to address
• Partner with Marketing & Site Merchandising to build visual presentation for the season, ensuring key initiatives are supported 
• Leads, mentors, and develops direct reports

 Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to multi-task, delegate duties, and lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to read and interpret reports concerning margins, mark-up, sales data, and other merchant-based data, drawing valid conclusions
• Have an eye for fashion and interpret trend information as it pertains to the Venus Brand
• Computer literacy and the ability to utilize business programs as needed to conduct business. Includes but not limited to PowerPoint, Excel, Digi, Qlik, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.

 Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• 6 years of experience in merchandising for vertical retailers, apparel experience preferred
• Management experienced preferred