Merchant Manager - AE

Title: Merchant Manager

Reports To: DMM

Location: New York City, NY

About American Eagle

American Eagle is a youth culture brand grounded in denim. Our purpose extends beyond making the best jeans–we embrace self expression, culture, optimism and connection. Through the brand platform Live Your Life, we empower our community to be who they want to be all while wearing the clothes that make them most confident.

Get to Know the Role:

Responsible for developing and driving the product strategy and achieving the financial performance goals for insert business and category. The responsibility extends from pre-concept through final product stages all the way to monitoring in store execution and performance.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop the AE Men’s strategy and buy merchandise mix to support and define the brand
• Work closely with Design team to interpret and forecast trends for assigned areas and divisions specific to the target customer.
• In partnership with Merchandise Planning, will establish beginning of season strategic plans for sales, markdowns, inventory, and growth opportunity.
• Strategically develop and execute financial plans by department, line, and classification working with internal business partners. 
• Develop, drive and support achievement of financial goals for the Aerie apparel, swim and sleep categories, including sales, gross margin and comp plans. 
• Communicate effectively to coordinate all functions of the design team, planner, merchandise analyst, and assistant.
• When necessary, negotiate with vendors to develop merchandise with the best possible price/value relationship in the marketplace using knowledge of fabric, cut/make/trim of a garment, and the best country to source that garment.  
• Work in conjunction with planning to manage the Open To Buy as far as receipts, sales, margin, markdowns, and weeks of supply.
• Analyze performance and plans consistently to look for sales and margin opportunities that can exceed plan; quickly adapt to changes/trends occurring in the business and in the marketplace.
• Develop and execute major test floorsets with ongoing management and communication with design team to execute the in-season testing process.
• Work with design, technical design, product development, production, marketing, web, and visual merchandising partners to achieve strategic product and financial goals for the department. 
• Maintain high awareness of the customer, of competition relative to product quality/value relationship, and of fashion trends in the global marketplace
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Able to work in a hybrid environment, meaning that some work may be performed remotely but certain essential functions must be performed in-person/in-office based on the needs of the business.
• In person/in-office collaboration is required, the frequency of such in-person/in-office collaboration (e.g., portion of week, entire week) is dictated by business needs.  Such collaboration includes work centralized around product development, milestone meetings, approvals, etc.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent required.
• 6+ years prior buying experience from a specialty retailer.
• 6+ years experience in a leadership role.
• Aggressive and passionate individual will be most successful in this and future roles.
• Keen sense of fashion exhibited through personal taste 
• Understanding of fashion designer labels and how to interpret their seasonal stories/messages for the Aerie customer both domestically and internationally.
• Excellent analytical and creative skills to challenge the planning and design sides of the organization.
• Demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy (coolness and composure under strain, confidence without arrogance).
• Risk Taker - Carefully considers risk/reward, ready to try new ways of doing things to improve learning.
• Forward Thinking/Innovative – Not satisfied with the status quo, ahead of the times, advanced views, creating something like nothing done or experienced before.
• Persuasive - Able to motivate others through the appropriate use of interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of a product, service, or idea.
• Strategic – Possesses the ability to conceptualize and understand risks facing a business as well as the ability to create a strategy surrounding a specific opportunity. Build creative solutions and plans that meet objectives and maximize impact.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Travel is required, including the potential for international travel.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team.

Perks: Why You’ll Love it Here

• Generous Associate Discount: Treat yourself to the best our brands offer!
• Summer Fridays (For Pittsburgh, NYC and Remote Corporate Associates): More time for the sun and the weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Casual Dress Code: Come as you are (and stay comfy).
• Hybrid Schedule: Enjoy a blend of home-office focus and in-office collaboration.
• In-Person Connection: While we love our digital tools, we love our people even more! To keep our culture thriving, in-person presence is required at one of our Pittsburgh or NYC headquarters, distribution centers or field locations for interviews, orientation and periodic quarterly meetups.
• FOMO (Fun Office Moments Only) Events: Exciting company-wide events you won’t want to miss!

Pay/Benefits Information:

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.  For additional information, please click here.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.