Assistant Merchant

The Job

As an Assistant Merchant, you are responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, including but not limited to category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU onboarding, and maintenance and special projects as assigned.

The position is designed as a support role and a development step in all aspects of the buying department to prepare a candidate for full category responsibility as a Merchant I.

• Executes the current year plan that has been laid out by the Merchant
• Is responsible for all aspects of support for a product category
• Assists with teams’ responsibilities and projects, including category reviews, promotional planning processes, show preparation, retailer communication, SKU onboarding and maintenance, and special projects as assigned.
• Is expected to consider enterprise (retail, EJD, international) impact with all decisions.

• Support merchant in all phases of category review process
• Request and prepare all category analytics
• Participate in all aspects of vendor meeting prep, meetings, item selection, plan‑o‑gram build, marketing and execution to retailers

• Support in organizing and securing all vendor marketing assessments
• Assist in solicitation of monthly promotional items from vendors
• Assist with promotional item submission forms, target pricing, correction notices and AD proofing

• Support with daily retailer customer service
• Assist with communication via ACENET to relay new programs, changes or issues
• Assist with Merch CARE to prep Ace Care Center for calls and e‑mails related to respective category

• Assist in selecting and inviting vendors to attend semi‑annual convention
• Lead prep of show materials including drop ship forms, as well as submission for Power Buys, Saving Showcase and New Arrivals
• Assist in planning merchant area theme and execution for respective category

• Assist in diagnosing and resolving vendor service issues
• Assist in inventory planning for promotional items

• Lead SKU onboarding for department with respective merchandising system coordinator
• Lead processing of department SAP price changes with respective merchandising system coordinator
• Lead all item master data changes with article content team

• Lead department and cross‑functional projects as assigned by DMM and merchant

• Product passion – Natural and fanatical curiosity around product and retail marketplace, demonstrated and put into action.
• Strategic thinking – has advanced business acumen to draw insights from gathered data.
• Relationship Builder – Builds and leverages internal / external network (vendors, retailers, cross‑functional team members, etc.) to drive results and improve processes.
• Results‑oriented – Ability to drive results to and above plan with full accountability, proactively shifting efforts as trends and business variables change.
• Presentation skills – Ability to plan, assemble and present with excellence strategy, execution and updates to leadership, across the organization, vendors and retailers.

• 2+ years of business experience
• Retail experience preferred
• Strong problem‑solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Understand financial measures that impact corporation
• Demonstrate strong decision‑making skills
• Highly creative, flexible and adaptable with good follow‑through
• Proven ability to multi‑task projects and meet deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point
• Knowledge of PCM, SAP and guided Ad‑hoc reporting tools
• Ability to travel 15%

$76,300 - $90,000 Per Year

• Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)
• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition…