Sr Merchant

About Express, Inc.

Express, Inc. is a multi-brand fashion retailer whose portfolio includes Express, Bonobos and UpWest. The Company operates an omnichannel platform as well as physical and online stores. Grounded in a belief that style, quality and value should all be found in one place, Express is a brand with a purpose - We Create Confidence. We Inspire Self-Expression. - powered by a styling community. Bonobos is a menswear brand known for exceptional fit and an innovative retail model. UpWest is an apparel, accessories and home goods brand with a purpose to Provide Comfort for People & Planet.

The Company has over 530 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the Express.com online store and the Express mobile app; over 60 Bonobos Guideshop locations and the Bonobos.com online store; and 13 UpWest retail stores and the UpWest.com online store. Express, Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol EXPR. For more information about our Company, please visit and for more information about our brands, please visit or

Location Name

Columbus Corporate Headquarters

Responsibilities

The Senior Merchant is responsible to develop a product assortment strategy and line plan for a complex product category that supports the brand objectives and delivers sales and profit targets. The Senior Merchant works in collaboration with all cross-functional partners to deliver departmental plans and achieve financial goals of the division and the company. The Senior Merchant understands components of building a successful business based on sales, history, and market trends. In season, they have the ability to generate and analyze financial reporting identifying upside opportunity as well as potential sales risk, and make recommendations on how to increase sales and reduce markdowns delivering both top and bottom line growth in the product category. Additionally, the Senior Merchant balances knowledge of market trends with inventory management and product delivery in the determination of purchase quantities, sizes, color, assortment, samples, etc.

Accountable for product specific area and aligning with company initiatives

Align team’s P&L strategies with company P&L strategies

Understands the customer through concentrated profiling and customer engagement

Intense involvement in competitive patterning hypothesis, analytics and qualitative findings

Provides customer an assortment with a “one-eye” point of view that works within the complete brand vision

Provides recommendations and influences change

Identify key trends from fashion runway shows and marketplace

Identify white space in the business and fill it in with volume driving ideas

Lead cross-functional alignment including: Production & Sourcing, Tech, Design, Planning & Allocation, eCommerce, Visual, Marketing, Store Operations and Finance

Supports Merchandise Manager with the strategic view of the assortment

Develop merchandising talent

Required Experience & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree preferably in business, retail merchandising, or fashion merchandising

Years of Experience: 7 - 10 of progressively more significant merchant roles, in some combination of department and/or specialty retail, preferably apparel

Strong presentation and communication skills

Strong negotiation and influencing skills

Proficient in conflict management and problem solving

Ability to identify, develop and retain talent

Achievement oriented with a strong management experience and demonstrated leadership potential

Proven sense of urgency

Possess strong mentoring and teaching skills

Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook)

Ability to think strategically and tactically

Strong fact-based and intuitive decision-making skills

Ability to lead and inspire with unquestionable integrity and trust

Ability to handle challenging situations in a rational and level headed manner

Critical Skills & Attributes

Exceptional leadership capabilities with the ability to influence cross functional partners

Ability to grow and develop talent

Closing

An equal opportunity employer, Express, Inc. does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. Express, Inc. only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. Express, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a listed job position, please call and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that Express, Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, Express, Inc. will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.

Regular Full-Time