Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent required.
8+ years of buying experience from a specialty retailer.
4+ years in a leadership role.
Experience managing third-party vendors and maintaining long-term relationships.
Strong product and trend perspective with an understanding of fashion designer labels.
Responsibilities
Develop and drive the AE Women's Accessories strategy and merchandise mix.
Collaborate with the Design team to forecast trends for target customers.
Establish strategic plans for sales, markdowns, and inventory in partnership with Merchandise Planning.
Execute financial plans by department and classification with internal partners.
Analyze performance to identify sales and margin opportunities, adapting to market changes.
Maintain a fast pipeline of third-party and internal products to respond to trends.
Coordinate with various teams to achieve product and financial goals.
Benefits
Generous Associate Discount on brand products.
Summer Fridays for additional time off during warmer months.
Casual Dress Code for a comfortable work environment.
Hybrid Schedule for flexibility between home and office.
In-Person Connection events to foster team culture and collaboration.
Full Job Description
Job Description
Title: Merchant Manager - AE Women's Accessories
Reports To: DMM
Location: New York City, NY
Get to Know the Role:
Responsible for developing and driving the product strategy and achieving the financial performance goals for Women's Accessories. The responsibility extends from pre-concept through final product stages all the way to monitoring in store execution and performance.
What You'll Do:
Develop the AE Women's Accessories strategy and buy merchandise mix to support and define the brand.
Work closely with the Design team to interpret and forecast trends for assigned areas and divisions specific to the target customer.
In partnership with Merchandise Planning, will establish beginning of season strategic plans for sales, markdowns, inventory, and growth opportunity.
Strategically develop and execute financial plans by department, line, and classification working with internal business partners.
Develop, drive and support achievement of financial goals for the Women's Accessories categories, including sales, gross margin and comp plans.
Communicate effectively to coordinate all functions of the design, planning, merchandising, allocation team.
When necessary, negotiate with vendors to develop merchandise with the best possible price/value relationship in the marketplace using knowledge of fabric, cut/make/trim of a garment, and the best country to source that garment.
Work in conjunction with planning to manage the Open To Buy as far as receipts, sales, margin, markdowns, and weeks of supply.
Analyze performance and plans consistently to look for sales and margin opportunities that can exceed plan; quickly adapt to changes/trends occurring in the business and in the marketplace.
Develop and maintain a "fast" pipeline of chase third party and internal product to react to business and industry trends.
Work with design, technical design, product development, production, marketing, web, and visual merchandising partners to achieve strategic product and financial goals for the department.
Maintain high awareness of the AE and Accessories specific customer, of competition relative to product quality/value relationship, and of fashion trends in the global marketplace.
Maintain and work closely with Third Party Vendors to develop a comprehensive third party assortment on a seasonal basis. Identify new third party vendor opportunities and lead outreach.
Perform other duties as assigned.
What You Bring:
Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent required.
8+ years prior buying experience from a specialty retailer.
4+ years experience in a leadership role.
Experiencing managing third party vendors and maintaining long-term relationships.
Curious and passionate individuals will be most successful in this and future roles.
Strong product and trend perspective.
Understanding of fashion designer labels and how to interpret their seasonal stories/messages for the AE customer both domestically and internationally.
Excellent analytical and creative skills to challenge the planning and design sides of the organization.
Demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy (coolness and composure under strain, confidence without arrogance).
Risk Taker - Carefully considers risk/reward, ready to try new ways of doing things to improve learning.
Forward Thinking/Innovative - Not satisfied with the status quo, ahead of the times, advanced views, creating something like nothing done or experienced before.
Persuasive - Able to motivate others through the appropriate use of interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of a product, service, or idea.
Strategic - Possesses the ability to conceptualize and understand risks facing a business as well as the ability to create a strategy surrounding a specific opportunity. Build creative solutions and plans that meet objectives and maximize impact.
Travel is required, including the potential for international travel.
High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team.
Perks: Why You'll Love it Here
Generous Associate Discount: Treat yourself to the best our brands offer!
Summer Fridays (For Pittsburgh, NYC and Remote Corporate Associates): More time for the sun and the weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Casual Dress Code: Come as you are (and stay comfy).
Hybrid Schedule: Enjoy a blend of home-office focus and in-office collaboration.
In-Person Connection: While we love our digital tools, we love our people even more! To keep our culture thriving, in-person presence is required at one of our Pittsburgh or NYC headquarters, distribution centers or field locations for interviews, orientation and periodic quarterly meetups.
FOMO (Fun Office Moments Only) Events: Exciting company-wide events you won't want to miss!
Pay/Benefits Information:
Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please click HERE.
AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.
Applications will be accepted until the Apply Before date (if applicable), but may be extended based on applicant volume.
About American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters is a clothing and accessories retailer that targets young adults. The company was founded in 1977 and has since grown to over 1,000 stores across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several other countries. American Eagle Outfitters is known for its trendy and affordable clothing, as well as its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The company has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including using recycled materials and reducing water usage in its manufacturing processes.
