Merchant, YPB

Job Description:

Merchandising is the central function setting the course for our brands’ product; the hub of the wheel that ensures all teams are moving in the right direction to deliver a beautiful, compelling and profitable assortment. Working hand-in-hand with our design, visual, and planning teams, merchants are the bridge between the strategy and creative direction of their line. Our merchandising teams possess a blend of analytical ability and creative thinking, drawing from historical data and market trends to craft an assortment that stays true to our brands and excites our customer.

This job is located at our Global Home Office in Columbus, Ohio. 

What Will You Be Doing?

• Driving the YPB On-The-Go Women’s assortment strategy by influencing decisions at every stage of the product lifecycle; from concept and product development, to buying and pricing, to product placement, marketing and promotions.
• Collaborating with our Design and Product Development teams to create product that is on-trend and right for our customer.
• Collaborating with Visual, Site and Marketing teams to execute product stories in stores and digitally. Ensure seasonal product strategies align with marketing campaigns and tactics to achieve key strategies.
• Working closely with Planning and Inventory Management to drive a strategy that allows us to scale and maximize key areas of the business, meeting the financial targets of the YPB brand.
• Optimizing current season business. Leading weekly selling to maximize total brand sales and profit. Driving actions and priorities based on selling analysis.
• Providing seasonal expectations for key triggers and test strategies to drive department read-and-react calendars.  
• Diving into the interests and preferences of our customer by observing shopping patterns, active lifestyle behaviors, shopping our competitors, seeking out feedback from our stores, and monitoring media platforms.
• Identifying emerging fashion trends in the market by monitoring fashion weeks, runway shows, blogs, and aspirational brands, and interpreting these ideas for our YPB customer.
• Collaborating with senior leadership to gain buy-in on the YPB brand vision, strategic direction and white space ideas to effectively scale the business.
• Building a balanced product architecture that solves unmet needs for the customer, provides end-use versatility and capitalizes on key macro apparel & active lifestyle trends.
• Building and sustaining a high-performing, committed team through focus on communication, engagement and talent management initiatives. Accountable for team talent decisions, performance and development.

What Do You Need To Bring?

• 4+ years of apparel Merchandising experience, preferably in the activewear space
• Proven leadership experience and ability to thrive in team-based settings
• Passion for the merchant role, fashion retail and YPB brand
• An acute eye for activewear product and trend
• A deep understanding of sales analysis and financial metrics that relate to your business
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate confidently to leadership
• A high comfort-level with analytical sales tools and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• A collaborative approach to working with cross-functional partners to achieve the vision of the brand

Benefits & Perks

As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward: 

• Incentive bonus program
• Annual companywide review process
• Flexible spending accounts
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Associate assistance program
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot
• Access to mental health and wellness app, Headspace
• Paid time off and one paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to give back to your community
• Work from anywhere (Mondays and Fridays are “work from anywhere” days for most roles and six work from anywhere weeks per year)
• Seven associate wellness half days per year
• Merchandise discount on all of our brands
• Opportunities for career advancement, we believe in promoting from within
• Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups
• Global team of people who will celebrate you for being YOU!

Company Description

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.

The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.

Learn more about A&F Co. by visiting our corporate website here.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.