Victoria's Secret
Associate Merchant, Intimates - International
Victoria's Secret, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, us, 43069
Position is a hybrid role based out of Columbus, OH. In-office expectations are approx. 15x/year
Your Role:
The Associate Merchant supports the Merchant/Leader in delivering the volume and growth expectations of a book of business, through comprehensive management of a collection, and understanding and applying their financial acumen. They are the subject matter expert in areas including, but not exclusive of, assortment fashion content, SKU management, testing initiatives, competitive intelligence and customer intimacy. Influences leadership by sharing a strong, merchant point of view that is derived from customer insights, competitive patterning and hind sighting. Possesses strong leadership skills as he/she is ultimately responsible for driving cross-functional communication and motivating the team to be customer focused, innovative, fast, and team oriented in their work.
Why You Belong Here:
At Victoria's Secret, we acknowledge your value. We recognize that every associate has something unique to add to our brand and business. We strive to recruit, retain, and advance diverse talent that reflects the customers we serve and the communities where we live and work. We foster a culture where everyone belongs because we know our business thrives most when we look for, listen to, and amplify diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We place the customer at the heart of everything we do. We dream big, embrace curiosity and creativity while always learning from our mistakes. We lead with integrity, trust, and respect to achieve the best outcomes as one team.
Your Impact:
System Management & Execution
Drive accuracy of product detail through excellent execution and management of assortment documentation and communication, with emphasis on MAT tool executionProduct
Supports the merchant/leader in delivering financial objectives and maximizing volume/profit by leveraging intuitive client insights when building seasonal strategies.Drives decisions around assortment edits/distortions by market.Partners with Planning on assortment investments and recommended action plansMaximizes customer experience by driving execution of all sales education, marketing, and visual requests for the product category (pre-season and in-season).Understands customer intimacy and competitive environment; proactively seeking knowledge through exposure and travel to market as well as collaborating with partner merchant counterpart.Supports seasonal hind sighting process by driving the communication of regional customer insights to influence go-forward strategies.Drives the communication of product detail to cross functional partners.Supports key meetings through deck preparation and completion of ad hoc requests, always staying agile and flexibleLeadership & Strategy
Partners with the Merchant/Leader in driving the International brand businesses by connecting financial patterns and market insights to identify growth opportunities, while maintaining the replication model.Contributes to the success of the category through replicating and adapting brand strategies in markets around the world while meeting or exceeding the financial goals.Provides recommendations and gains alignment from merchant leaders to influence work streams of cross-functional teams to support key initiatives.Drives category business by "outside of the box" thinking that connects the lines between financial patterns and market/store insights to identify growth opportunities.Leads day to day communication between all members of the team.Acts as the category expert in key brand & cross-functional meetings, driving prioritization and distortion.Customer
Demonstrate an ability to turn Customer insight into actionable recommendations as it relates to assortment strategyUnderstand the customer's lifestyle by staying on top of trends, social media, and pop culture as it specifically relates to the customerEngage in competitive patterning in order to understand the current competition/market trends and influence product strategy while making business recommendationsFinancial
Partners with Merchant/Leader in developing the line to support the financial goals of business.Understands and helps influence sales and growth targets, recognizing opportunities for incremental growth and risk management.Collaborates across departments to build and cascade seasonal hind sights, focusing on impact to forward strategy by leveraging and understanding historical data to ensure business is compared appropriately to last year.Drives category alignment and collaboration with planning partners.Analyzes, interprets and reports financial results on a weekly basis to influence business strategy.Understands product trends and historical data at the category level in order to manage in season opportunities.Acts as the expert of store/regional performance by analyzing size and market trends and making appropriate recommendations.Collaboration, Communication and Partner Support
Maintains strong line of communication with field team and directly partners with regional teams when applicable through business reviews, assortment strategy cascades, regional analysis, premium and pricing studies, buy weeks, monthly TBs, etc.Builds productive relationships with US Brand counterparts to facilitate exchange of information, share best practices, and stay abreast of assortment strategy updates.Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with cross functional teams by building rapport and communicating effectively.Possess category/business knowledge in order to gain internal buy-in.Plans and leads cross functional team meetings and calls.Consistently demonstrates open mindedness and free thinking when problem solving.Regularly share customer insights and business recommendations in cross functional forums.Talent
Effectively on-boards new cross functional partnersMotivates the team to ensure effective performance and growth with consistent on-the-job feedback and trainingActs as a role model within the company by coaching and teaching team members to work together and remain focusedDemonstrates mentoring and strong leadership to the Merchant team and cross functional partnersClick here for benefit details related to this position.
Your Experience:
2+ years with Brand Development and Merchandise BuyingBachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising or a related fieldAdditional Preferred Experience:
Strong presentation and communication skillsDemonstrated ability to influence across different levelsProven strategic, analytical and creative thinking skillsDemonstrated passion for delivering results while maintaining flexibilityAnticipate next, ability to course correct and address changeSolid management experience and proven leadership to inspire a team with unquestionable integrity and trustIntimate understanding of competition, target customer and the brand specific trendsAbility to adapt well to diverse audiences and environmentsProficiency in MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/OutlookInternational experience a plus
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.
Your Role:
The Associate Merchant supports the Merchant/Leader in delivering the volume and growth expectations of a book of business, through comprehensive management of a collection, and understanding and applying their financial acumen. They are the subject matter expert in areas including, but not exclusive of, assortment fashion content, SKU management, testing initiatives, competitive intelligence and customer intimacy. Influences leadership by sharing a strong, merchant point of view that is derived from customer insights, competitive patterning and hind sighting. Possesses strong leadership skills as he/she is ultimately responsible for driving cross-functional communication and motivating the team to be customer focused, innovative, fast, and team oriented in their work.
Why You Belong Here:
At Victoria's Secret, we acknowledge your value. We recognize that every associate has something unique to add to our brand and business. We strive to recruit, retain, and advance diverse talent that reflects the customers we serve and the communities where we live and work. We foster a culture where everyone belongs because we know our business thrives most when we look for, listen to, and amplify diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We place the customer at the heart of everything we do. We dream big, embrace curiosity and creativity while always learning from our mistakes. We lead with integrity, trust, and respect to achieve the best outcomes as one team.
Your Impact:
System Management & Execution
Drive accuracy of product detail through excellent execution and management of assortment documentation and communication, with emphasis on MAT tool executionProduct
Supports the merchant/leader in delivering financial objectives and maximizing volume/profit by leveraging intuitive client insights when building seasonal strategies.Drives decisions around assortment edits/distortions by market.Partners with Planning on assortment investments and recommended action plansMaximizes customer experience by driving execution of all sales education, marketing, and visual requests for the product category (pre-season and in-season).Understands customer intimacy and competitive environment; proactively seeking knowledge through exposure and travel to market as well as collaborating with partner merchant counterpart.Supports seasonal hind sighting process by driving the communication of regional customer insights to influence go-forward strategies.Drives the communication of product detail to cross functional partners.Supports key meetings through deck preparation and completion of ad hoc requests, always staying agile and flexibleLeadership & Strategy
Partners with the Merchant/Leader in driving the International brand businesses by connecting financial patterns and market insights to identify growth opportunities, while maintaining the replication model.Contributes to the success of the category through replicating and adapting brand strategies in markets around the world while meeting or exceeding the financial goals.Provides recommendations and gains alignment from merchant leaders to influence work streams of cross-functional teams to support key initiatives.Drives category business by "outside of the box" thinking that connects the lines between financial patterns and market/store insights to identify growth opportunities.Leads day to day communication between all members of the team.Acts as the category expert in key brand & cross-functional meetings, driving prioritization and distortion.Customer
Demonstrate an ability to turn Customer insight into actionable recommendations as it relates to assortment strategyUnderstand the customer's lifestyle by staying on top of trends, social media, and pop culture as it specifically relates to the customerEngage in competitive patterning in order to understand the current competition/market trends and influence product strategy while making business recommendationsFinancial
Partners with Merchant/Leader in developing the line to support the financial goals of business.Understands and helps influence sales and growth targets, recognizing opportunities for incremental growth and risk management.Collaborates across departments to build and cascade seasonal hind sights, focusing on impact to forward strategy by leveraging and understanding historical data to ensure business is compared appropriately to last year.Drives category alignment and collaboration with planning partners.Analyzes, interprets and reports financial results on a weekly basis to influence business strategy.Understands product trends and historical data at the category level in order to manage in season opportunities.Acts as the expert of store/regional performance by analyzing size and market trends and making appropriate recommendations.Collaboration, Communication and Partner Support
Maintains strong line of communication with field team and directly partners with regional teams when applicable through business reviews, assortment strategy cascades, regional analysis, premium and pricing studies, buy weeks, monthly TBs, etc.Builds productive relationships with US Brand counterparts to facilitate exchange of information, share best practices, and stay abreast of assortment strategy updates.Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with cross functional teams by building rapport and communicating effectively.Possess category/business knowledge in order to gain internal buy-in.Plans and leads cross functional team meetings and calls.Consistently demonstrates open mindedness and free thinking when problem solving.Regularly share customer insights and business recommendations in cross functional forums.Talent
Effectively on-boards new cross functional partnersMotivates the team to ensure effective performance and growth with consistent on-the-job feedback and trainingActs as a role model within the company by coaching and teaching team members to work together and remain focusedDemonstrates mentoring and strong leadership to the Merchant team and cross functional partnersClick here for benefit details related to this position.
Your Experience:
2+ years with Brand Development and Merchandise BuyingBachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising or a related fieldAdditional Preferred Experience:
Strong presentation and communication skillsDemonstrated ability to influence across different levelsProven strategic, analytical and creative thinking skillsDemonstrated passion for delivering results while maintaining flexibilityAnticipate next, ability to course correct and address changeSolid management experience and proven leadership to inspire a team with unquestionable integrity and trustIntimate understanding of competition, target customer and the brand specific trendsAbility to adapt well to diverse audiences and environmentsProficiency in MS Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/OutlookInternational experience a plus
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.