Merchant

At Boston Proper, we put our passion and expertise into everything we do. You'll find it in our commitment to unique designs and polished looks that help women feel as fearlessly feminine and as beautifully powerful as they are. We hold our people, our customers, and our brand in the highest regard. Our people drive our businesses, so we strive to attract the best in our industry. They have different life experiences and educational and cultural backgrounds, but they share many things in common: a commitment to teamwork, to growing great brands, and to building a future full of possibilities.

We are seeking a Merchant to join our dynamic team as a business leader responsible for driving in-season business performance, executing product strategies, and owning category results. This role requires a strong background in sales productivity, profitability, and strategic execution across multiple categories. The Merchant leads with a customer-first mindset, leveraging data and insights to drive revenue, optimize assortments, and maximize gross margin by managing their own category(ies).

This position reports to the Associate Director for Merchandising and works closely with the broader merchandising team to execute cohesive and effective strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Ownership & Strategic Execution

• Own category/department performance with accountability for topline sales, margin, turn, and profitability.
• Analyze sales data, inventory trends, and customer insights to drive demand and react to performance in real time.
• Develop and implement strategies that align with company objectives and customer expectations to drive market share.
• Leverage analytics and trend insights to identify risks and opportunities, making data-driven decisions to maximize business growth.
• Drive customer-centric strategies by aligning category planning with Boston Proper's vision and ensuring assortment reflects customer demand​.

Decision-Making & Problem-Solving

• Evaluate performance indicators (sell-through, inventory productivity, conversion rates) to optimize assortment and pricing strategies.
• Implement in-season actions such as markdowns, re-orders, and promotional strategies to improve sales performance and profitability.
• Ensure alignment with financial plans by partnering with Planning, Production, and Inventory teams to balance supply and demand.
• Drive the success of product assortments by ensuring alignment with the company's business goals and customer expectations.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence

• Lead and influence cross-functional teams (Planning, Design, Sourcing, Marketing) to execute business strategies.
• Serve as a key voice in senior leadership discussions by providing clear, data-backed recommendations on assortment performance.
• Manage communication and prioritization across teams, ensuring clarity, alignment, and execution of merchandising strategies.

• Champion a culture of accountability, urgency, and results within the Merchandising team.

Self-Leadership

• Participate in a results-driven environment by demonstrating a high-performance culture focused on innovation, agility, and strategic thinking.
• Develop category strategies and execute in-season actions to optimize sales, profit, and inventory productivity.
• Partner with planning and finance to ensure financial objectives are met while staying competitive in pricing.
• Monitor competitive landscape to stay ahead of trends and ensure Boston Proper maintains a compelling and differentiated assortment.
• Utilize customer insights and market data to make informed merchandising decisions that align with brand strategy​.
• Support product lifecycle management by partnering with product Innovation and sourcing to ensure timely execution.
• Ensure category-level pricing and promotional strategies drive sales and profitability while maintaining brand integrity.
• Collaborate with marketing to align messaging and promotions with category goals and customer engagement initiatives.

Experience/Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in business, fashion merchandising, or related field
• 5 years of experience in merchandising, buying, or category management in a fashion/apparel retail environment
• Proven track record of driving sales and profitability within a high-volume category
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business strategies
• Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, result-driven environment
• Expertise in inventory management, financial planning, and in-season business agility
• Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with ERP/retail analytics tools
• Willingness to travel as needed

Company Benefits:

• Competitive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life/ADD Insurance
• 401k with company match
• Flexible and generous Paid Time Off policy
• Merchandise Discount
• Company Bonus
• Pet Insurance

Boston Proper Values

Our team loves to work hard and have fun. We believe in collaboration, creativity, and pushing boundaries to build a brand that empowers women to feel fearlessly feminine.

If you're ready to bring your expertise to our merchandising team, we'd love to hear from you!