Buying Merchant (Relocation Benefits) - SM23-1998349L707

Our client is looking for both a Merchant and a Senior Merchant professionals to help drive product strategy, assortment planning, and business performance within a dynamic retail environment. These roles will partner closely with Design, Product Development, Planning, and Inventory Management teams to deliver compelling assortments that resonate with customers and achieve financial goals. This is a full-time, direct hire position and it is hybrid in Columbus, Ohio. The client is offering relocation benefits for candidates who are not local to the Columbus area and are interested in relocating. While both levels are responsible for owning category performance and influencing product strategy, the Senior Merchant role brings deeper category ownership, strategic leadership, and greater responsibility for influencing high-level business decisions. The Merchant position salary range is $100,000 - $111,000 per year and the Senior Merchant salary range is $120,000 - $150,000 per year. When applying, please note which you are interested in based on your experience level. Merchant Responsibilities: ($100k - $111k) Contribute to assortment strategies by influencing decisions throughout the product lifecycle, including product development, buying, pricing, placement, marketing, and promotions. Partner with Design and Product Development teams to create trend-right products that meet customer needs and business objectives. Collaborate with Planning and Inventory Management to drive category performance and achieve financial targets. Analyze current and historical sales performance to identify opportunities and inform merchandising decisions. Monitor customer shopping behaviors, marketplace trends, competitor activity, and consumer feedback to support assortment planning. Research and identify emerging fashion and retail trends, translating insights into actionable product strategies. Present business updates, selling analysis, trend insights, and assortment recommendations to leadership teams. Support category growth through data-driven decision-making and strong cross-functional collaboration. Senior Merchant Responsibilities: ($120k - $150k) Lead assortment strategy and category vision, influencing key decisions across the entire product lifecycle. Own and drive category performance, identifying opportunities to maximize sales, profitability, and market share. Partner closely with senior leaders across Merchandising, Planning, Design, Product Development, and Marketing to shape long-term business strategies. Utilize deep customer, product, and market insights to build innovative assortments aligned with brand objectives. Serve as the category expert, leveraging sales analysis, trend forecasting, and competitive intelligence to guide business decisions. Mentor and influence junior merchandising team members while fostering collaboration across functions. Lead high-level presentations and business reviews with senior leadership, communicating strategies, assortment plans, and performance results. Identify emerging trends and market opportunities to proactively evolve product offerings and drive growth. Qualifications: Merchant: ($100k - $111k) Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. 5+ years of merchandising or buying experience, preferably within apparel, retail, or a related consumer products environment. Strong understanding of assortment planning, sales analysis, and retail financial metrics. Passion for product, consumer trends, and the customer experience. Proven ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams. Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and merchandising/planning tools. Ability and willingness to travel as needed. Senior Merchant: ($120k - $150k) Bachelo