Under the direction of the Merchandising Manager the Merchandising Coordinator will:
• Conducting high quality analysis and combining multiple data sources (including sales, e-comm, competitive, customer-level, industry-wide, global) to generate insights and actionable recommendations, while leveraging effective communication & influencing skills to implement action.
• Strong focus on key company initiatives within product categories (i.e., ePromos Direct, Core)
• Own the sales, gross margin, and vendor selection across assigned categories.
• Management of assigned product category assortment and pricing, with cross departmental collaboration of placement (eCommerce), and promotional (Marketing) strategy
The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties required in this position. This job description is intended as a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. This role may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties as requested.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Duties, Skills, Responsibilities and Expectations:
Assortment Planning
- Create a curated product mix through thoughtful assortment planning: Using trends, sales and eComm data, competitive intel, and customer demand, determine and maintain the right product mix per category/subcategory
- With eComm alignment, management of product life cycle including Product Selection, Site Addition, Discounting or Sales, Site Removal and Redirect
- Identify gaps in the assortment or opportunities for category expansion (Gaps in subcategory, pricing, style/silhouette, supplier, brand, trend, etc.)
- Use a “Good, Better, Best” approach across Customer Profiles to provide strong assortments for all relevant audiences
- Adhere to Sourcing Protocol and be a champion of the Elite Supplier base, ensuring volume is funneled to key and appropriate suppliers
Pricing & Margin
- Set Pricing on all New Products to find the balance of competitiveness, value, and profitability. Based on performance or demand, adjust pricing as needed
- Coordinate pricing change discussions with eComm, review results of tests and changes. Gain actionable insights from Pricing Analysis.
- Manage and maintain all inline Pricing and Category Margins, working the overall product mix to hit Category Margin Goals (Identifying loss leaders, areas with higher margin opportunities, etc.)
- Identify areas of margin improvement and work with Suppliers and Supplier Relation Manager to secure better net pricing on products (either through negotiation with incumbent supplier or by re-sourcing to a new supplier). Also identify products that can be sourced directly through ePromos Direct to drive overall category margin
- Identify Sale, Overstock, and Closeout promotional pricing opportunities. Collaborate with Vendors as well as Marketing and eCommerce to drive the promotional pricing initiatives
eCommerce
- Maintain constant release of New Products that fulfill Trend, Value or Need while keeping to New Product Release Timelines
- For New Products: Provide site pricing, important features to highlight, recommended areas to feature
- Help support eCommerce team on product ranking and placement within Categories
- Champion and strategize positioning of assigned Categories to maximize its visibility and drive traffic and revenue (Including Homepage and other cross-sell opportunities)
- Work with eCommerce on Category pages, driving the direction for the Lifestyle Grids, Marketing Banners, and onsite graphics (banners, subcategory images, etc.). Drive Visual Merchandising conversations. Identifying creative solutions for category and product positioning and customer interaction and engagement
- Offer input for site changes as needed (In regard to product images, logo choice, colors, product features, etc.)
- Support onsite merchandising of Collection pages, representing assigned Categories
Analysis
- Competitive Review: Perform ongoing review of competitive set. Review Competitive Pricing from Competitor Pricing Scrapes as well as intel from Elite Suppliers, deriving action items from findings. Maintain awareness of overall competitive assortments, pricing, and promotions for assigned categories. Review competitive set prior to New Product launches.
- Sales Analysis: Perform weekly, monthly, and quarterly analysis on Category and Product Performance, should cover both site data and sales side data. Determine actionable items based on analysis. Weekly analysis focused on previous week’s online sales, new product performance, top sellers, or large orders. Monthly analysis focused on overall category performance (YoY performance), including subcategories, new trends, specific brands, price points or collections performing. Diving into sales per division. Quarterly analysis focused on supplier performance per category, in preparation for QBRs with Elite Suppliers
- Market & Customer Insights: Obtain insights from Sales Team using surveys and feedback tools. Obtain insights on customer data to inform mix and category activities. Use Supplier data and early insights into upcoming trends
- Website Analysis: Work with eCommerce on site stats to identify areas of opportunity.
- Global Trend Tracking: Keep eye on global trends including lifestyle, retail and other applicable industries within categories. Translate trends into actionable Category plans
Supplier Relations
- Identity key suppliers per assigned categories. Identify supplier gaps per Category
- Build partnerships with key suppliers. Work towards obtaining new product presentations, early looks at product launches, possible exclusivity deals
- Drive pricing negotiations with Suppliers, negotiate pricing, MOQ, setup details when needed
- Partner with Supplier Relations Manager on Closeouts, Overstock, On Sale and Deals opportunities.
- Partner with Supplier Relations Manager on Elite Supplier QBRs by providing Category Analysis and Insights
Product Development & Sourcing
- Identify products or trends that can be sourced directly through ePromos Direct to help lower pricing, drive category margin and gain market share. Drive development conversations on these items
- Work with ePromos Direct team to develop and bring new items to market in a timely manner, adhering to Launch Timelines and collaborating cross functionally.
- Conduct Line Reviews of new product launches with key stakeholders.
- Using historical sales data, vendor inventory/positioning, and sales/marketing feedback and interest, provide guidance on inventory decisions.
eCommerce
- Maintain constant release of New Products that fulfill Trend, Value or Need while keeping to New Product Release Timelines
- For New Products: Provide site pricing, important features to highlight, recommended areas to feature
- Help support eCommerce team on product ranking and placement within Categories
- Champion and strategize positioning of assigned Categories to maximize its visibility and drive traffic and revenue (Including Homepage and other cross-sell opportunities)
- Work with eCommerce on Category pages, driving the direction for the Lifestyle Grids, Marketing Banners, and onsite graphics (banners, subcategory images, etc.). Drive Visual Merchandising conversations. Identifying creative solutions for category and product positioning and customer interaction and engagement
- Offer input for site changes as needed (In regard to product images, logo choice, colors, product features, etc.)
- Support onsite merchandising of Collection pages, representing assigned Categories
Marketing
- Closely collaborate on bringing new product to market and maximizing sales of existing products through creative marketing campaigns and initiatives
- Provide Marketing Team with Category trends and areas for promotional opportunities. Provide merchandising driven content
- Support Digital Marketing efforts for assigned categories by championing a balance of top/Core sellers and on trend/new product features. Provide creative product/trend/messaging solutions to tie back to Category efforts
- Support Marketing Messaging by providing Category insights and assisting in brainstorming.
- Work with Marketing Team to understand the customer and audiences to help drive Category and product decisions, as well as optimize the website to engage with the appropriate audiences. Help to identify customer profiles to help inform assortment planning.
Sales
- Partner with Sales to gain insight on customer trends, product requests, etc.
- Align with Sales Enablement on New Product Releases and a cohesive Go to Market strategy by sharing new product adds, and when necessary, product positioning, selling points or features, the “why”, as well as coordinating additional Marketing Tools based on the demand/trend
Maintain appropriate physical and mental health required to perform the essential functions of position
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Sound judgment in decision making and problem solving
- Ability to work independently or team as required by the task or project
- Strong product merchandising knowledge
- Detail oriented & organized
- Analytical possessing creativity and strategic thinking skills
- Retail and fashion trends awareness
- Always maintain the highest level of confidentiality and professional conduct
Required Education / Industry Knowledge:
- High School diploma
- Promotional product industry experience preferred
- BA or BS degree in Business or related field a plus
- B2B & B2C experience
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Position is fully remote to the US only
- Ability to accommodate multiple time-zones with primary ET (EST/EDT)
- Dedicated workspace and high-speed internet
- Frequent video conference/email/chat
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Maintaining a stationary position for up to 50% of the workday
- Consistently operate a computer and other productivity equipment including keyboard, webcam and document scanner
- Clarity of vision of 30” or less
- Ability to perceive sound in the capacity of oral communication
- Exertion of up to 10lbs. of force as related to lift or move of objects