Merchandiser Early Childhood

Kaplan Early Learning Company is seeking to hire an Early Childhood Merchandiser.

For more than 50 years, Kaplan Early Learning Company has been a champion for play. From our research-based curricula to enriching classroom environments and innovative technology solutions, Kaplan's products and services inspire a lifelong love of learning in children and educators.

We are architects of learning good and defenders of the imagination. We live for inseparable bonds and open minds. We encourage the eager and inspire the inspirers. We transform lives through play.

Position Objective:

Don't come to work; come to play! Join the Kaplan Early Learning Company team to become a champion for play as a transformative learning experience. The Kaplan Merchandising team plays a critical role in Kaplan's business: developing new products, new product categories, and managing existing products.

Acting in close partnership with our global design team, the Kaplan merchandisers strive to bring in the most innovative products in the early childhood industry. Merchandisers are responsible for following a product from its inception to launch, including analyzing sales and margin, participating in marketing and sales campaigns as subject matter experts, and ensuring that the product is merchandised on our web site effectively.

Merchandisers are generalists - understanding the landscape, financials, and vendors in all product categories - but also have ownership as category managers. Each Merchandiser is the deep expert on their categories, but work collaboratively to support the development of all products from Kaplan. As category owners, each Merchandiser is responsible for setting up new vendors and items, facilitating all marketing and web assets, initial demand forecasting, sales training, and ongoing support.

Incumbent must be an expert in and recent member of the early childhood community, and will enjoy the challenge of constantly striving to find new solutions to bring to our customers. We use an Agile model of project management, which empowers each team member to have autonomy and responsibility over projects that support our goals.

Agile puts the customer's needs at the center of every decision, and relies on the collaboration of the team to solve business problems. Agile processes include quick, daily team touch-base meetings, independent work, and monthly strategic meetings to ensure alignment to corporate goals.

Principal Accountabilities:

Assess the market trends for assigned product categories, including new product availability. Research and prepare for changes in state and federal requirements, curriculum or assessment adoptions, trends on Pinterest/social media, etc.

Develop Product List for product development opportunities. Research historical sales, retail changes, margin, and competitive/comparative landscape. Work with internal team and global design team to bring priorities to market.

Be the Subject Matter Expert on assigned Kaplan products and categories. Assist the Marketing and Sales team by training them on new products and ensuring fidelity to product features and attributes.

Develop product ideas. Do what is necessary to stay creatively inspired. This may include, but is not limited to, keeping abreast of market trends by shopping the market, attending shows, becoming a member of teacher and industry groups, and reading current resources, curriculum materials, magazines and trade papers.

Market Analysis. Ask questions of customers, sales reps, and customer support to learn how customers are interacting with the products.

Use the knowledge from these interactions to positively impact the accuracy of product selection. Monitor competitor's offerings to identify product trends and threats.

Financial modeling. Set competitive pricing expectations for all new product development.

Negotiate initial pricing with third-party vendors to remain competitive within the market while maintaining an acceptable gross profit level. Work with management to formulate a topline overview of pricing position and rationale.

Review past seasons' performance and formulate strategies that build on strengths. Strategies should include updating and evolving successful products to ensure a fresh, new product line annually.

Work closely with Purchasing, Marketing, and Product Information to communicate product changes, updates, pricing, forecasts, etc.

Enter product and vendor information into product information management database. As an expert on the products, Merchandisers will also maintain and review product information for accuracy. Write product copy as necessary.

Review product samples for quality and to ensure all specifications are met.

Work closely with Marketing/Creative to provide complete merchandising information including item #, copy, pricing, and image.

Work closely with in-house photographer to schedule photography including model needs, assembly, and any additional merchandise.

Catalog Development. Proof page layouts in all stages of pre-press to ensure the customer will have a clear understanding of product including features, benefits, and construction.

Provide product training on managed lines to order entry, Bids & Contracts, Sales, and Customer Support agents.

Web merchandising maintenance. Review product information for merchandised lines on website for accuracy.

Review categories and subcategories for opportunities to streamline or update to meet current needs. Review and update any images that are outdated.

Educational Requirements and Skills Required:

Three to four years' experience as an early childhood educator or administrator required. College degree in education or a related field preferred.

This position requires strong communication, negotiation, project management, organization, and analytical skills. Extensive knowledge of marketing and industry trends related to the early childhood industry required. Incumbent must be creative, and possess extensive understanding and knowledge of age appropriateness, licensing requirements, literacy product needs, etc. and the mental and physical needs of children in relation to product selection and design.

The merchandisers must travel 2-3 times per year on domestic trips, typically 2-3 day trips. All travel is done as a team.

Merchandisers will travel internationally to product shows once every 2 years. Must be able to work in a fast paced environment and have the skills necessary to deal with multiple tasks. Must be flexible with proven ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team.

Meeting deadlines is crucial and problem-solving skills are paramount. A working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel are necessary.

Benefits Include:

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave Supplemental Program

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Matching 401(k) Plan plus a suite of financial educational services to include consultations with licensed representatives

• Short-term disability and long-term disability income replacement programs

• Voya Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• Educational Tuition Assistance

• Child Care Discounts

• Kaplan Store Discount

• Verizon & AT&T Discount

• YMCA Discount

• LifeMart Discounts Shopping Website

• Employee Referral Bonus

Kaplan Early Learning Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace differences, welcome diversity and value a culture of respect.

You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at 336-712-3206 or via email at HumanResources@Kaplanco.com.