Merchant - International [213403]

Aquent is seeking exceptional talent to partner with a globally recognized retail brand, celebrated for its iconic product lines and innovative approach to fashion and lifestyle. This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team at the forefront of international expansion, where your expertise will directly influence market growth and strategic direction.

We are searching for a visionary leader to step into a newly created and pivotal role focused on shaping the international presence of this beloved brand. As a key player on the International team, you will own a critical book of business, driving sales, fostering growth, and meticulously crafting assortment strategies across diverse global markets. This is your chance to make a significant impact, pioneering new processes and adapting global strategies to resonate with local customers, all while contributing to a business that is rapidly expanding and evolving.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with leadership to expand the international business by identifying financial patterns and market insights that unlock new growth opportunities.
• Lead the development and refinement of a new buy model tailored for international markets.
• Translate global brand strategies into market-specific approaches, ensuring financial goals are met or exceeded.
• Serve as the category expert in key business and cross-functional forums, guiding prioritization and assortment differentiation.
• Facilitate daily communication and collaboration between international and domestic teams.
• Design, implement, and optimize new processes to support and accelerate international growth initiatives.
• Take ownership of sales and growth targets for your designated book of business, proactively identifying opportunities for incremental revenue and mitigating risks.
• Conduct in-depth analysis and reporting of weekly financial results to inform and adjust business strategy.
• Collaborate closely with planning teams to ensure alignment of category strategy.
• Lead seasonal hindsight efforts, leveraging historical data to inform and refine future strategies.
• Interpret selling trends and regional nuances to manage both in-season performance and future opportunities.
• Drive market-specific assortment edits and distinctions.
• Manage all assortment details within product data management platforms and communicate strategic changes to cross-functional teams.
• Oversee the execution of sales education, marketing, and visual merchandising requests for your category, both pre-season and in-season.
• Cultivate deep customer and competitive knowledge through market visits and travel.
• Prepare compelling presentation decks for key meetings and efficiently handle ad hoc requests.
• Maintain close connections with field and regional teams through business reviews, strategy cascades, and regional performance analysis.
• Forge strong relationships with domestic merchant teams to exchange best practices and stay current on overarching assortment strategy.
• Share valuable customer insights, floorset feedback, and recommendations derived from store visits.
• Actively participate in vendor and team meetings as an integral part of the regular workflow.
• Onboard new cross-functional partners, ensuring a smooth integration into team processes.
• Coach and mentor team members, providing ongoing feedback and support.
• Champion a collaborative, customer-focused team culture, setting a positive example for all.

What You Bring

Must-Have Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in merchandise buying and brand development.
• Proven experience as a Merchant, Senior Merchant, or Buyer.
• Demonstrated multi-category experience.
• A confident decision-maker with a track record of leading teams effectively.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and creative thinking capabilities.
• Exceptional ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and present information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Comfort with change, demonstrating an ability to anticipate evolving needs and adapt quickly.
• A self-starter and collaborative team player.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• International or multi-market retail experience.

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising or a related field is preferred.

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