Merchant

With approximately 1,300 boutiques and outlets throughout the U.S., as well as an online presence for each of our brands, it takes sophisticated technology, resources and infrastructure to ensure the continued success of our businesses. From finance and accounting to technology and merchandising careers, we have diverse opportunities available for talented professionals to join our team of nearly 16,000 associates who share our commitment to excellence.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

This position is responsible for developing merchandising strategies that meet or exceed sales and profit projections. This role develops products and shops the market for brand right products that will support and drive the merchandise strategies.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Stays abreast of customer attitude and lifestyle through regular store and market visits.

• Manages and analyzes business to increase sales and profitability and minimizes risk and markdowns.

• Partners with teams and leadership to manage in-season business by tracking and analyzing sales information to identify opportunities to increase sales, improve margins, maximize inventories, and decrease markdowns.

• In collaboration with production, (if applicable), builds and maintains vendor relationships with a strategic approach related to business needs, financial plans, and projections to deliver quality products.

• Identifies partner/market vendors for development/production. Adheres to strategies that support the vendor structure.

• Conduct regular vendor visits to ensure constant development.

• Partners with leadership to continuously refine the vendor base strategy. Fosters and grows all vendor partner relationships.

• Develops assortment strategy for departments based on categories of business, price point, fabrication/yarn, and vendors.

• Researches trends by through market shopping and working with vendors, utilizing trend service, i.e., WGSN, reviewing fashion magazines.

• Identify and develop product from Market resources.

• Manages production to end delivery of bulk, where applicable.

• Negotiates costs; builds and manages timing and action calendars for all adopted styles.

• Attends weekly meetings to review with appropriate Cross-Functional Teams (CFT).

• Partners with planners and merchant teams in the Monthly Business Review (MBR) process.

• Work with teams to conduct seasonal Hindsight review and build 6-month financial plans.

• Partners with various departments to ensure the vision of the product is reflective of the strategies and needs of the business as well as provide product knowledge for stores.

• Manages on-order and receipts to ensure timely delivery and projected inventory and density levels.

• Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team. Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4-Year College Degree preferred

• 6-8 years related work experience in Brand Development and Merchandising.

• Broad-based business acumen with potential to grow.

• Strong understanding of vertically integrated retail operations.

• Successful track record of business growth and bottom-line results.

• Acute sense of brand and customer intimacy.

• Acute fashion sense with proven talent to envision and interpret fashion trends.

• Achievement oriented with solid management experience and demonstrated leadership potential.

• Proficient in conflict management and problem solving.

• Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships.

• Ability to lead and inspire with unquestionable integrity and trust.

• Proven ability to identify, develop and retain talent.

• Intimate understanding of competition, target customer, and the brand specific fashion trends.

• Critical ability to translate knowledge into actionable annual and seasonal business plan, achieving sales and profit plan for one or more merchandising categories.

• Must have a proven successful business record for sustained period of time or proven ability to turn around troubled businesses and drive growth opportunities and a greater ability to think strategically in order to drive opportunities and decrease risks.

Chico's FAS, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.