Job Description

As our Associate Merchant, you will be responsible for various functions which contribute to the broader scope of the vertical Merchant career path, gaining valuable hands-on experience in skill competency areas. Under direction of Manager Divisional Merchandise, you will be responsible for planning, developing, analyzing and managing assigned customer solutions. You will identify opportunities that meet the marketing and merchandising company objectives; providing merchandise assortment input that continually increases company revenues and profitability and achieving all assigned financial goals and objectives. This role will partner with other departmental teams including Merch Planning, Sourcing, Product Design, Marketing, E Commerce, Creative, Personalization, Inventory and Corporate Communications.

Detailed Description

Essential Functions

In conjunction with Manager Divisional Merchandise, manage customer solutions and build tops down merchandising plans by customer needs, market position/trends, historical product & category performance, business goals

Under direction of manager, present, communicate and advocate strategic goals to cross functional departments and executive staff

With direction of manager, develop analysis of brand/customer performance in order to proactively respond to the customer need and achieve company objectives

Analyze market intelligence by means of supplier and industry contacts, merchandise shows and trade periodicals, and review of competitive retailers and direct marketers, and then strategizes with manager to benchmark current customer solutions against current market trends and pricing strategies

Communicate assortment plans and financial objectives with Inventory to achieve all department and category inventory goals including fill rates, turn ratios, average days on backorder and Open-to-Buy (OTB) management, and Sourcing to achieve the best profitability for company

Manage all vendor relationships and negotiates with Sourcing regarding COGS and rebate programs

Establish pricing strategies and manages product price points for new items to maximize sell-through and profitability achieving all established margin objectives

Partner with Product Design to identify upcoming trends within brands and customer segments to build product line and strengthen customer solution; approves all artwork and product specifications

Partner with Sourcing to approve new item samples

Partner with Creative to develop catalog pagination/mock-ups and content. Approves photography, headlines, front and back covers, and general page layout maintaining customer solution focus

Under direction of manager, proofs in E-Book & Soft Proofing processes for overall presentation & content and makes necessary changes to remove and replace items in offers

Partner with Marketing to develop contact strategy, budgets and promotions; communicates and reinforces customer solutions for all marketing decisions and reviews business cross-functionally on a quarterly basis

Partner with Ecommerce to provide direction for web navigation, homepage rotations, landing pages, email campaigns, web content, social media networking and seasonal promotions

Partner with Pricing Analyst to identify promo pricing opportunities within solutions and reviews assigned Departments to implement price changes as needed to maximize sell-through and profitability, achieving all established margin objectives

Determine and execute item level flagging for each brand within their assigned solution(s)

Develop alternatives to increase sales and extend sales performance while optimizing underperforming products by reducing or removing medias

Develop and maintain (AS400, GUI) product specifications

Ensures product line conforms to all legal/regulatory requirements and doesn’t infringe on any copyright or trade dress standards

Handle processing new item set-up within PIM

Handle processing, confirming and coordinating changes or modifications with domestic suppliers

Act as a community ambassador and partners with Corporate Communications and vendors on external brand awareness projects

Participate fully in initiatives such as MAPS & PIM and provide training support to others

Identify and manage talent/resources required to achieve goals

Proactively leverage strengths and address development needs of Assistant Merchant. Serve as a coach and mentor

Manage and supervise daily tasks of departmental Interns

Maintains regular and predictable attendance

Abides by all policies and procedures of Oriental Trading Company

Must be able to attend face to face meetings on short or little advance notice

Work requires in-person collaboration among colleagues and contractors

Marginal Functions

Travel overseas and domestically as necessary

Maintain an active US Passport

Perform other duties and projects as assigned

Assist with setting up and maintaining AS400 & GUI product specifications

Develop and proposes process and procedural changes which will improve operation of the department

Here’s what you need to join the fun:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to analyze quantitative data
Acute sense of brand, customer and trend awareness
Achievement oriented and demonstrated leadership potential
Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships, both internally and externally
Ability to communicate, present, negotiate and influence appropriately to all levels of the organization
Ability to lead team members toward personal, department and organizational goals
Ability to drive focus, set priorities and remain flexible in an on-going changing environment
Possess a proven track record of merchandising business management, success and growth
Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Access
Ability to perform the job in a safe manner

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Merchandising or Business or equivalent work experience is preferred

Experience

Two to five years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred

Join us at Oriental Trading, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, where fun means business!

Oriental Trading Company (www.orientaltrading.com),is the nation’s largest direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys and novelties, and a leading provider of teaching supplies and affordable home décor and giftware. Founded in 1932 by a Japanese American, the Oriental Trading history of fun spans the better part of the last century. Today, Oriental Trading offers more than 60,000 products to individuals, teachers, schools, churches, businesses and nonprofits. With a corporate vision to “Make Life More Fun,” Oriental Trading (a Berkshire Hathaway company) spreads joy and smiles to millions each year through a robust family of brands; Oriental Trading, Fun Express, MindWare, SmileMakers, Morris Costumes and halloweenexpress.com.

EOE

About Oriental Trading Company, A Berkshire Hathaway Company

Oriental Trading Company has one simple mission: to make life more fun. For individuals, nonprofits, churches and schools, we provide countless reasons to share smiles while making all of life's moments more special.

With more than 40,000 unique products, we're the nation's largest direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, toys and crafts as well as a leading provider of fundraising products. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Oriental Trading has continued its long-standing commitment to excellent customer service, even being recognized by Foresee as one of the Top 20 Internet Retailers based on customer satisfaction. Additionally, Oriental Trading has been rated one of the Top 100 Online Retailers by Internet Retailer.

Our history with fun is one that spans for the better part of the last century. Founded in 1932, we became a major supplier of novelties to the U.S. carnival trade in the 1950s before expanding in the succeeding decades through catalogs, direct marketing and eventually the internet in 1999.

In 2012, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway saw tremendous value and growth opportunity in Oriental Trading and made the decision to purchase our company. Shortly after, Oriental Trading acquired two companies that aligned with our mission: MindWare, a manufacturer, wholesaler and direct retailer of “brainy toys for kids of all ages,” and SmileMakers, a leading brand specializing in patient giveaways and promotion products for dental and healthcare markets. To better meet the needs of our customers, Oriental Trading created several new brands in 2017; Marry Me, Fun365, and CustomFun365.

For over 85 years, we've helped friends and families around the world spark imaginations and celebrate special moments. Spreading fun one smile at a time? That's our specialty!

Ready to Make Your Career More Fun? Learn more at MyOTCCareer.com.

Industry

Retail & Ecommerce

Company Size

1,001-5,000 employees

Headquarters

Omaha, Nebraska

Year Founded

1932

Website

orientaltrading.com

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