Merchandising Associate

The Merchandising Associate is accountable for inventory management metrics, timely preparation of vendor sales plans, maintenance of supplier relationships, and effective execution of strategic plans. This role will partner with the merchandising associates, marketing department, inventory office manager, and store managers to achieve goals.

This position may be required to work weekends, some holidays, and peak sales periods.

Responsibilities

• Place and follow up on special orders with suppliers.

• Prepare Vendor Key Item reporting monthly.

• Enter purchase orders on ASC system with proper descriptions and costs and images.

• Monitor AUPO programs monthly.

• Review of all open orders.

• Price changes for assigned areas of responsibility.

• Update website products and content.

• Organize image bank for usable content.

• Transfer recommendations for your areas of responsibility.

• Carry out all of the duties related to planning, purchasing, and developing merchandising strategies for assigned categories.

• Plan open to buys and budgets, for approval by supervisor.

• Work with supervisor to develop strategic and creative direction for assigned merchandise categories.

• Work with stores to ensure proper visual presentation of merchandise (store visit: merchandise in your areas of responsibility, displays, possible transfers, meet with managers, Go through understock trays, items to RTV).

• Work on sales floor regularly to keep in contact with staff and clients.

• Plan merchandise assortments for marketing – catalogue, print, and other media. Be sure we are advertising what is in stock, provide input to marketing to drive business by advertising areas where sales need help.

• Meet monthly with reporting to review purchase projections.

Travel to domestic trade shows as required, research and develop (to extent required) new products and lines which are in line with the company's merchandising strategy.

• Negotiate terms, delivery (with merchandising director) and cooperative advertising allowances (with marketing director).

• Develop and monitor core inventory programs for assigned departments.

• Provide analysis of vendor performance.

• Develop and financially validate assortments and buying plans for assigned departments.

• Analysis of Sales/ROI/GM/Turnover data: ABC by department/ vendor at least quarterly for your areas of responsibility to review top performing vendors, ABC by vendor/ item at least quarterly to review top items.

• Monthly review of product for transfer/ RTV’s/ closeouts.

• Train staff on product, trends, what’s new.

• Visit stores to review merchandise presentation and staff knowledge.

• Constant and clear internal and external communication.

Skills

• Proven and demonstrable track record or effective inventory management, vendor relationship building, and teamwork.

• Creative problem solving ability.

• Ability and willingness to travel for store visits, domestic trade shows, meetings, etc.

• Flexibility in schedule.

• Proficient in Microsoft Products.

• ASC computer system experience a plus.

Education & Experience

• 1-3 years marketing, merchandising, or branding experience in fine jewelry and watches.

• College degree preferred.

• Experience in high-end jewelry or luxury environments.

• Education from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or other related degrees (e.g. AGS).

• Knowledge of inventory management metrics including sales plans and goals, GMROI, turn, and gross margin %.

Physical Requirements

• Physical activity not limited to: reading, writing, walking, walking up and down stairs, standing, sitting, kneeling, lifting up to 25lbs.