Associate Merchandise Manager

Overview

Associate Merchandise Manager

Full-Time Exempt

Reports to: Merchandise Manager                                                                                   

Direct Reports: none

Position Overview:

An Associate Merchandise Manager is accountable for owning their own categories while supporting their managing merchant. The Associate Merchandise Manager will be responsible for developing and executing the category’s strategic direction, assortment management, understanding the business needs across Barnes & Noble and Paper Source and seek the best vendor partners to create an assortment that is both inline with the company and category strategy and is profitable for the business. The Associate Merchandise Manager will also be responsible for outlining product development needs to our in house design team and providing feedback. The Associate Merchandise Manager should also be fostering a collaborative and productive relationship with their Specialty Inventory Manager, working closely to ensure alignment on strategies and executions.

Position Responsibilities:

• Ownership of category and vendor assortments.
• Establish a regular core review cadence.
• Source and nominate product for seasonal space.
• Collaborate with internal partners such as design team, visual merchandising and store operations to create a unique assortment with strong store execution.
• Regular market analysis to identify opportunities and to stay abreast of market trends while continuing to push forward our representation of trends in store.
• Clearly communicate strategy and intention in presentations to management, SIM team and commercial strategy partners.
• Build partnerships with vendors who are aligned with our direction.
• Negotiate terms with vendors
• Assist Merchandise Manager with adhoc tasks as required.

Position Requirements:

• Ability to identify assortment opportunities and work with internal partners to execute.
• Communication skills that can adapt style in accordance with who they are speaking with (vendors, internal partners, management etc).
• Thoughtful and diplomatic with ability to prioritize.
• Creative and solution-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Uses knowledge of the industry and the competition to support company goals.
• A decision-maker, who can accurately assess situations and use feedback and experience to customize solutions to achieve results.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Works well under deadlines, is a self-starter, innovative, team-oriented, customer-focused.
• Effectively copes with change, comfortably shifting focus and priorities while handling the unexpected.
• A planner who can anticipate issues before they occur; uses resources effectively and has a realistic plan of action to accomplish objectives.
• Builds collaborative relationships by fostering open dialogue and listening to others.