Merchant

About us Ann Taylor embodies and celebrates the spirit, heritage, and confidence of American women leading the lives they love. Since its beginnings, Ann Taylor has been committed to providing women with everything they need to feel inspired and motivated as they navigate their multifaceted lives. Our effortlessly polished styles are thoughtfully designed to go anywhere—from the office to special occasions (and everywhere in between). Discover a culture centered on empowering employees, with access to industry leaders and tools you need to expand your skills and stretch your abilities. We'll meet you at every milestone with opportunities and benefits to make life better in and outside of work (not to mention your closet). Ready to join us? About the role The Merchant will lead a cross-functional team to achieve divisional financial goals by inspiring collaboration and positive cross functional relationships. The Merchant develops and drives the business strategy to meet financial objectives and client expectation. This entails successfully executing on seasonal business strategies to include building and executing a collection that embodies the brand, client and overall experience. The impact you can have Analyze business and make recommendation on how to drive the business based on sales, history, and market trends. Partner with Merch Planning and Allocation on strategic inventory management to maximize sales and margin and minimize risks through markdown and promotional strategies, receipt shifts and changes and chase opportunities. Conduct first pass with planning to ensure vision of collection ties back to financial plans. Partner with Design and Production to exceed IMU goals and ensure timely delivery of goods. Lead CFT to drive results and make decisions that support the departmental strategies. Demonstrate ability to influence key decisions makers. Build relationships through effective collaboration that contributes to a high performing team. Participate as a solution-oriented team member. Partner with marketing for accuracy of samples and style information. Partner with Visual to communicate big ideas, key investments, strategies, carryover, special needs, signage. Own seasonal framework. Identify opportunities for growth /decline in prog /cc and product / classification opportunities. Communicate framework to CFT. Work with manager to edit and balance the line in partnership with Design. Identify opportunities for growth and decline by classification. Ensure assortment supports department strategies and falls within brand aesthetic. Gather and collect information from competitive set including pricing, style, and key messaging information. Use information to make sound recommendations for department. Work in stores once quarterly. Share observations at Merchant staff meetings and use information to recommend business and product decisions. Represent client in critical fits. You’ll bring to the role 4 – 6 years’ experience in Merchandising. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Ability to take analysis into action, executes to timelines and provides timely solutions. Exceptional leadership capabilities and the ability to influence others across functions; build support and engagement. Strong analytical skills and clear understanding of financial measurements and how to impact them. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Strong decision-making capabilities; strong point of view and negotiation skills. Clear understanding of brand, client, and experience. Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications. Benefits You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies. Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands. A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations…

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