Merchandising Coordinator
💰 $45,000 - $65,000
🎯 Role Definition
Are you a product-obsessed individual with a keen eye for detail and a passion for retail? This role requires a proactive and highly organized Merchandising Coordinator to join our team and become the central hub of our merchandising operations.
As the Merchandising Coordinator, you will be the backbone of the department, ensuring the seamless execution of our product strategies. You will own the integrity of our product data, manage the critical path of our samples, and facilitate clear communication across multiple departments including Planning, Marketing, E-commerce, and Design. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is eager to build a career in merchandising. You will directly impact our ability to deliver the right product, at the right time, and in the right place, making you a vital contributor to our success.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Merchandising Assistant or Intern
- Retail Sales Associate / Key Holder
- Allocation Assistant
Advancement To:
- Assistant Merchandiser / E-commerce Merchandiser
- Associate Merchandiser
- Assistant Buyer
Lateral Moves:
- Allocation Analyst / Assistant Planner
- Marketing Coordinator
- Product Development Coordinator
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Manage the entire product setup and maintenance process, ensuring 100% data accuracy for all styles in our Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and ERP systems.
- Own the end-to-end sample management process, including receiving, organizing, tracking, and distributing all product samples for photoshoots, showroom meetings, and cross-functional reviews.
- Generate, maintain, and distribute weekly and monthly sales reports, analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) like sell-through, margin, and inventory turn to identify trends and opportunities.
- Act as the primary point of contact for vendor communications regarding purchase orders, shipping status, and compliance, resolving discrepancies to ensure timely delivery.
- Create and manage purchase orders (POs), meticulously verifying quantities, costs, and delivery windows, and communicating updates to all relevant stakeholders.
- Collaborate closely with the E-commerce team to ensure all product information, photography, and pricing are correctly executed and optimized on the website's product detail pages (PDPs).
- Support the Merchandising Manager in building seasonal assortment plans and line sheets, providing data and administrative support for key assortment decisions.
- Conduct regular market research and competitive analysis to monitor trends, pricing strategies, and new product launches, presenting findings to the team.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of the master merchandising calendar, tracking key go-to-market dates and deadlines to keep the team on schedule.
- Partner with the marketing and creative teams to align on product messaging and ensure key investments and seasonal stories are featured prominently in campaigns.
- Prepare and organize compelling presentation materials, including digital catalogs and product boards, for internal line reviews and external market appointments.
- Facilitate the timely flow of information between merchandising, design, production, and planning to ensure alignment and efficient problem-solving throughout the product lifecycle.
- Execute promotional and markdown pricing in the system, performing audits to ensure pricing accuracy across all sales channels.
- Analyze product performance at the style, color, and size level to provide the merchandising team with actionable insights for in-season management and future assortment planning.
- Support the visual merchandising team by providing detailed product knowledge and assortment strategies to inform in-store and online visual execution.
- Proofread and verify all product copy, attributes, and specifications for catalogs, packaging, and digital assets to ensure consistency and accuracy.
- Participate in key milestone meetings, including assortment reviews and post-season hindsights, by preparing necessary materials, taking notes, and managing follow-up action items.
- Track product development milestones from concept to production, proactively flagging potential delays and collaborating with partners to find solutions.
- Partner with the planning and allocation teams to monitor inventory levels, recommending reorders or consolidation to optimize stock position.
- Serve as a product knowledge expert, assisting the customer service team with product-related inquiries and training materials.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc reporting and data analysis requests from leadership and cross-functional partners.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of merchandising operations by identifying and suggesting enhancements to current processes and tools.
- Assist in preparing for and organizing internal product knowledge clinics and training sessions for retail and sales teams.
- Conduct regular audits of our website and key competitor sites to provide insights on visual merchandising, promotions, and overall customer experience.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Microsoft Excel Proficiency: Advanced skills are a must, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and complex formulas for data manipulation and reporting.
- Retail Math: Strong understanding of key retail metrics such as sell-through, margin, turn, and IMU.
- PLM/ERP Systems: Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is highly desirable.
- Data Analysis: Ability to analyze sales data and business metrics to provide actionable, data-driven insights.
- E-commerce Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Shopify, Magento, or other e-commerce content management systems.
- G-Suite / MS Office: High level of proficiency with presentation (PowerPoint, Google Slides) and word processing tools.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough, with an ability to manage complex data and processes with extreme accuracy.
- Organizational & Prioritization Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate information clearly and concisely to various audiences.
- Proactive Problem-Solver: A "can-do" attitude with the ability to anticipate needs, identify potential issues, and proactively seek solutions.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong team player who builds positive relationships and works effectively with cross-functional partners.
- Adaptability & Urgency: A strong sense of urgency and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and tight deadlines.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor's Degree with a focus in a relevant field.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Fashion Merchandising
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Retail Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 1-3 years of experience in a corporate retail environment, merchandising, buying, or a related field. Relevant internship experience is highly valued.
Preferred:
- Direct experience in a Merchandising Coordinator or Assistant role within a similar product category (e.g., apparel, accessories, home goods).
- Experience working in a multi-channel retail business that includes both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar.