Retail Merchant

At L.L.Bean, the outside is inside everything we do, from the products we make to the way we work (and play). Develop and implement category strategy including analysis and appropriate reaction to sales and market trends in order to maximize business. Responsibilities: Strategy \- Assortment Planning: Develop & execute merchandising strategy, including assortment architecture/line plan, sales planning, pricing, and exposure strategies \- Concept Ideation: Perform market research; assess the competition; bring forward new product ideas \- Business Strategy: For assigned areas, ensure that assortment, pricing strategy, margins & quality align with overall brand vision and financial goals Market Research \- Utilize market research to assess competition and develop assortment & pricing strategy Planning & Analytics \- Use product performance reporting to make decisions - Analyze category, class, program, style and item/color/size level results, utilizing findings to develop future strategies \- Identify trending and down-trending categories, and plan future assortments accordingly \- Manage in season markdowns and product life cycle For Assigned Business Areas \- Responsible for the line plan \- Identify opportunities & risks through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information \- Review sales, inventory & margin projections to maximize sales & minimize risks \- Adjust strategies in season to react to customer and business trends \- Manage small - medium sized demand centers \- Facilitate cross functional communications and partnerships \- Deliver presentations to leadership and cross functional partners Competencies \- Results Oriented - Self-starter, focuses on driving results, takes initiative \- Leadership & Team Captain - Shows potential to motivate and inspire team, ability to develop followership. Strong presentation skills. : \- Comfortable with role between individual contributor and full leadership \- Merchandise and institutional process knowledge preferred \- Mature oral and written communication skills \- Exceptional organizational skills with extreme attention to detail \- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while effectively meeting deadlines \- Work efficiently without direct supervision \- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, database utilization skills \- Team player with ability to work effectively with diverse personalities \- Must be able to handle difficult situations in a calm, professional manner \- Creative problem solving abilities \- Flexible in ever changing, fast paced environment