Merchant – Accessories & Footwear

About us

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.

About the role

The Haven Well Within Merchant position is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and selection of merchandise to optimize sales growth and contribute to bottom line profit for their given department(s). This position executes quarterly buy strategies at the style/color level, exhibits a passion and eye for product, conducts in-depth analysis, both financial and trend, and leads collaborative cross-functional partnerships. 

The impact you can have

• Directly responsible for the strategy, development, and collaborative execution of the product to optimize sales growth and contribute to bottom line profit.

 • Analyze business performance on a weekly basis and present results to cross-functional and leadership teams. 

• Hindsight prior seasons through extensive product, trend, and competitive analysis to plan for the next season. 

• Build seasonal frameworks, work collaboratively to ensure strategies are in place to maximize business opportunities as well as seasonal trends. 

• Drive partnership with Design team to evolve our proven core product and introduce merchandise that is new, trend right, works within our brand filter, and moves the business forward. 

• Utilize both product strategies and analytical results to plan all merchant buys, in accordance to budget, for each quarter and present investments at product investment review.

• Utilize merchandizing buy tools to plan all merchandise buys to the style/color level. 

• Drive partnership with Planning and Inventory Management on reviewing sales, receipt, and style/color counts; partner on managing in-season business sales results, promo and mark down cadence. 

• Drive partnership with Sourcing to achieve target IMU plans, make seasonal fabric projections, participate in discussions on costs, deliveries, and other vendor related matters. 

• Drive partnership with Visual and Marketing teams to ensure product placement, presentation and storytelling are all executed according to strategy or current business trend. 

• Develop understanding of the Haven Well Within customer and where she shops. 

• Curate product selections that are complimentary to the brand and to the customer’s preference. 

• Responsible for developing strong, collaborative, partnerships with cross-functional teams across channels and other business areas; approach all working relationships in a tactful and effective way. 

• Initiate and perform additional ad hoc analytical assignments as requested. 

• Maintain knowledge of catalog and web industry trends, shop competition frequently. 

• Analyze direct business metrics, evaluate customer demand performance in conjunction with sales. 

• Oversee and attend catalog layout reviews and web thumbnail reviews, ensure accuracy and placement. 

• Oversee review of all catalog and web content for department as released, work with teams to ensure accurate product representation. 

• Maintain knowledge of retail industry trends, shop competition frequently. 

• Work with Allocation partners to analyze performance in store volume group segmentations 

• Oversee and attend store floor set layout reviews, ensure accuracy and placement. 

You'll bring to the role

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 5+ of experience in a buying, planning and/or inventory management role 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with intermediate level to advanced Microsoft Excel skills 

• Innate sense of fashion and ability to analyze and translate trends 

• Possess analytical skills, ability to draw smart conclusions and make thoughtful recommendations 

• Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask, prioritize and complete tasks on tight deadlines 

• Excellent attention to detail, understands importance of accuracy and thorough completion of tasks 

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team 

• Strong writing and presentation skills 

• Must be able to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment 

• Must be a creative and critical thinker, with the ability to problem solve 

• Must be self-motivated, driven to succeed and have a passion for learning 

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, and philanthropic activities to support our communities.*

•Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K).*

•Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

•Time off – paid time off & holidays.*

The target salary range for this role is: $90K - $97K

Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

This position works 4 days per week in our NYC office.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel assigned to this job.

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Location:

Corporate Office-Talbots-Hingham, MA 02043

Position Type:

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [email protected]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.