Job Description
Title: Associate Merchant - Factory
Reports To: Merchant - Factory
Location: New York Design Office
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:
Support in executing the merchandising strategy to maximize the American Eagle Factory (FTY) business across all divisions. This role acts as a key partner to the cross-functional team (CFT) and is responsible for analyzing business performance, organizing seasonal product roadmaps, and ensuring alignment across all areas of the product lifecycle.
What You’ll Do: [responsibilities / ownership]
- Business Analysis & Strategy: Analyze and react to business performance on a weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis, driving departmental strategy, and suggesting high-impact business updates based on findings. Prepare and present business findings and actions to maximize the FTY business for weekly meetings and align with OMNI teams on chase, pricing, and placement updates.
- Product Lifecycle Management: Create and maintain the organization of MFO (made for outlet) product roadmaps and total FTY store choice count mapping. Take a first pass at the MFO roadmap prior to concept meetings and ensure alignment with OMNI merchant, design and production teams throughout milestone meetings.
- Inventory & Financial Acumen: Contribute to program volume planning by quarter (with planning partner), including taking the first pass at MFO program plans and aligning on comp and productivity strategy for approval.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Present MFO product in coordination meetings, covering category strategy, CC counts, ticket/promotional structure, cost, promo, using factual data to support decisions. Work closely with OMNI Merchant, Planning, Design, Production, Allocation and Visual Merchandising CFT members to achieve business goals.
- Visual Merchandising & Store Experience: Collaborate with the Visual Merchandising team on pre-season store mapping. Prioritize high volume driving programs in focal store placement and strategize through potential clearance inventory needs for future floorsets. Conduct quarterly comp shops, recap learnings, and present actions for future seasons.
What You Bring:[past experience/skills]
- 3+ years of experience in Merchandising or Buying.
- Proven ability to read, diagnose, and drive action from business findings in a clear and efficient way.
- High level of curiosity and a strong sense of urgency, with a dedication to process improvement and attention to detail.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present strategy and field questions in a concise manner.
- Demonstrated financial acumen and understanding of retail math, including metrics like LDP and MMU %.
- Proficiency in Google (i.e. GMail, Sheets, Slides, Docs) and Excel.
- Strong collaboration skills.
Key Business Partners:
- Design
- Production
- Merchandise Planning, Inventory Planning
- Business Strategies
- Marketing
- Visual Merchandising
- Store Teams
Perks: Why You’ll Love it Here
- Generous employee discount
- Summer Fridays
- Casual dress code
- Hybrid schedule
- FOMO events (Exciting company-wide events)
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.
AEO, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Get to Know AEO
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer with a portfolio of beloved apparel brands including American Eagle, Aerie, OFFL/NE by Aerie, Todd Snyder and Unsubscribed.
Rooted in optimism, inclusivity and authenticity, AEO’s brands empower every customer to celebrate their unique personal style by offering casual, comfortable, timeless outfitting and high-quality products that are made to last. In addition to a robust e-commerce business, we operate stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with merchandise available in more than 30 countries through a global network of license partners.
At AEO, we believe in the power of our people and our brands. Our Better Together culture creates a mutual desire to succeed–inspiring our community to excel, while driving future growth for the business and associates. Through experience, exposure and education we empower associates to build their unique career journey.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access at AEO
We remain committed to building an inclusive culture that is welcoming and fosters a sense of belonging for everyone. Please see more about our initiatives
here
AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of the individual's race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to all AEO activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law.
Applications will be accepted until the Apply Before date (if applicable), but may be extended based on applicant volume.
