Merchant in Training

Job description

Description

DESCRIPTION:

Bath & Body Works, a $5 billion (and growing) brand; one of the most creative, dynamic, profitable growth retailers in the industry. The Merchant-in-training (MIT) program will provide an opportunity to learn about merchandising both on-the-job and from experts in the classroom. MITs will be placed in an assistant merchant role at the conclusion of the program.

During the program, MITs participate in an immersive learning environment using several methods, including: shadowing merchants and cross-functional partners, attending training courses on retail math, data analysis and product development, working in local BBW stores, and building and refining presentation skills.

As a member of the merchant team at Bath & Body Works, you are responsible for helping to drive the strategic direction of the brand and its overall performance, leveraging a deep knowledge of the customer, understanding the competitive landscape, analyzing the business results, and translating fashion trends into business strategy.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As a Merchant-in-training, you will be embedded into a sub-brand category of the business to learn and apply various tasks and processes, including, but not limited to:

• Preparation of plans for the season

• Execution of the product development process from conception to in-store/online launch

• Developing a line plan that represents the Brand and is aligned with the seasonal merchandise strategy

• Preparing competitive intelligence, customer intimacy, fashion radar and business analysis to achieve volume and profit goals

• Supporting purchase order preparation

• Conducting in-depth financial research and analysis including sales, margin, inventory and mark-down analysis

• Serving as a contact for historical analysis, competitive intelligence analysis, financial analysis, assortment planning and general organization of the product

• Maintaining sample status and quality

• Conducting in-store visits to gain customer and product insights

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

To be considered for the Merchant-in-training program, the following qualifications are desired:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience

• Related work experience in a store or customer facing environment or through internship positions that relate to the areas of merchandising, buying, product development, marketing, planning, allocation, or retail sales

• Computer savvy with programs such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel

• Broad-based business acumen with the potential to grow within the merchandising team or related business area

• Strong understanding of retail operations

• Innate curiosity or a true entrepreneurial risk mentality, strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

• Acute sense of brand and customer intimacy

• Achievement oriented and demonstrated leadership potential

• Ability to manage through conflict and problem-solve

• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize

• Strong communication, presentation, negotiating and influencing skills

• Ability to follow direction with unquestionable integrity and trust

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment

• Have a strong passion for the retail environment

 

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.