Category Merchandiser

Aquent is proud to partner with a leading global innovator in consumer goods, a company celebrated for its groundbreaking design and powerful market presence. This organization is committed to inspiring individuals worldwide, constantly pushing creative and technological boundaries to deliver exceptional products that deeply connect with diverse audiences. By joining this team, you will become part of a legacy of excellence and innovation, where your contributions will directly shape the future of consumer engagement and product development on a global scale.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a visionary professional to join a dynamic team, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of product offerings for a key consumer apparel segment. In this exciting opportunity, you won't just manage products; you will blend art and science to create compelling assortments that captivate and inspire. Your strategic insights and collaborative spirit will directly influence product lifecycles from concept to marketplace, making a tangible impact on brand success and consumer engagement. This is your chance to leverage your expertise in a fast-paced, evolving environment, driving innovation and growth while directly influencing what consumers see and experience globally.

What You Will Do

• Develop consumer-centric assortment plans, integrating both data-driven insights and intuitive market understanding to drive product success.
• Lead seasonal reviews and assortment building processes, collaborating closely with marketplace account-focused merchants to align strategies.
• Manage multi-season product lifecycles, contributing insights that shape future season plans and drive adoption across central merchandising teams.
• Deeply manage assortment planning during seasonal processes, proactively gathering critical consumer trends and marketplace insights to inform decisions.
• Actively balance interactions and address the business needs of regional merchandising teams, ensuring cohesive global strategies.
• Partner strategically with Demand Planning and Product & Design teams to bring business strategies to life, from concept to execution.
• Cultivate strong relationships within the apparel merchandising team, enabling a cohesive and impactful assortment strategy that drives results.
• Continuously manage and maintain seasonal tools and assortments, alongside long-term strategic line planning that empowers regional execution.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with cross-functional teammates to ensure seamless collaboration and integrated efforts.
• Drive clear, concise, and influential communication across all levels of engagement, fostering transparency and alignment.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• 4+ years of experience in apparel or relevant consumer product merchandising, product creation, and/or retail in a vertical, multi-brand, or digital environment.
• Strong command of common retail and/or digital metrics such as sell-through, margin, full-price realization, and weeks of supply.
• Proven ability to translate consumer, sales, trend, and marketplace insights into effective in-season and long-term strategies.
• Experience preparing seasonal tools to equip marketplace partners with a clear understanding of seasonal priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong working relationships with teammates and cross-functional partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong emphasis on influencing abilities within a cross-functional matrix.
• Self-sufficiency, agility, and strong critical thinking skills.
• A collaborative and positive team player, eager to learn and contribute.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a strong understanding of the importance of consistency in execution.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Ability to balance "art and science" in merchandising decisions, coupled with an aesthetic design point of view.
• Deep fashion industry knowledge and trend awareness.
• Experience in retail and/or regional merchandising.
• An optimistic, curious, style-oriented, analytic, and trend-savvy mindset.
• A deep awareness and understanding of the consumer and the marketplace's ever-changing dynamics.
• Strategic visioning and consumer expertise.
• Ability to work autonomously, remain agile, and stay solution-oriented in a dynamic environment.