Job Description / Duties

Role: Associate Merchant (NOC 6222)
Salary: $24.00 - $30.00/hour and Benefits (Extended Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) + may be eligible for bonuses and salary increases, if applicable
Position: 45 hours/week (overtime applies after 40 hours), Full-time, Permanent
Location of work: Aritzia Support Office (#118-611 Alexander St. Vancouver, BC, V6A 1E1)
Number of positions: 1

The Associate Merchant supports in ensuring their brand(s) have product that will both maximize sales and propel the brand(s). They assist the Merchant for their brand(s) in ensuring their brand(s) are well-positioned, have a clear merchandise strategy, drive line development, ensure all items are well-positioned, and promote their product with internal cross-functional partners.

Key responsibilities of the Associate Merchant will include the following:

1. Brand Positioning
• Support ongoing internal research in Aritzia stores to understand the customer and get feedback on their brand(s)
• Support ongoing market research (in stores and online) to stay on top of marketplace trends and customer needs to ensure brand positioning and product assortment of their brand addresses their target customer

2. Merchandise Strategy
• Support marketplace research (in stores and online) to identify MC industry top selling Product Elements and street must haves
• Support in identifying external business opportunities to commercialize MC industry top selling Product Elements and street must haves in their brand(s)
• Support execution of seasonal development frameworks provided by Sr. Director Merchant

3. Line Development
• Support architecting the line for their brand(s),balancing maximizing sales with propelling their brand(s)
• Support in ensuring their brand(s) are balancing maximizing opportunities to commercialize on successful product elements and maximizing opportunities to provide newness to our customers
• Support in ensuring their brand(s) are developing according to department development function for carryovers, programs, and new
• Support in ensuring their brand(s) are balanced across all product elements and departments
• Support in ensuring their brand(s) are seasonally appropriate

4. Item Positioning
• Support in ensuring they have top-selling items in their brand(s)
• Support in ensuring each item in their brand(s) develops on product elements that are relevant to their brand, our customers and trends in the marketplace

5. Promote the Product
• Support Merchant for their brand(s) in developing materials to provide internal cross-functional partners to communicate brand positioning and key programs that drive their brand's business

6. Department Management
• Manage the line plans for their brand(s) and support managing the line plans for other brands as needed
• Support in ensuring all calendar deadlines are met for their brand(s)
• Support preparation for all checkpoints for their brand(s)
• Support preparation for their weekly brand meeting(s)
• Prepare for and participate in the weekly Merchant Department meeting
• Ensure all action items decisions for their brand(s) are communicated to their cross-functional team
• Support competitor sample acquisition, logging and management for their brand(s)
• Participate in and provide support in stores for key Retail sales events, including Black Friday, Holiday, June Clientele and Warehouse Sale, acting as an ambassador for Product and Support Office

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added or modified as required throughout the course of employment.

Qualifications / Required Skills

The Associate Merchant will possess the following qualifications:

• 3+ years’ experience working for a fashion apparel retailer in a merchandise capacity
• Previous experience in Retail Sales and/or Fashion/Design
• Comprehensive understanding of the target market’s aesthetic
• Understands and stays current on trends and cultural influences
• Excellent sense of style and high fashion aesthetics
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with different departmental teams
• Proven leadership abilities and excellent communication & presentation skills – both written and verbal
• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Solid proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Ability to travel internationally

Salary: $24.00 - $30.00/hour and Benefits (Extended Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) + may be eligible for bonuses and salary increases, if applicable

Contact Information

Apply Now: If you are interested in an exciting career in the fashion apparel industry, please forward your cover letter, resume and portfolio, if applicable (PDF or website link) to careers@aritzia.com. PLEASE NOTE THE JOB TITLE AND WEBSITE IN THE SUBJECT LINE.

NOTE: Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. If you are not contacted for this position, please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for your interest in Aritzia!

Employer Profile

Working at Aritzia: Aritzia’s Support Office is located on the edge of downtown Vancouver (611 Alexander St. Vancouver, BC, V6A 1E1), a city consistently recognized as one of the world’s best cities to live. Much like our boutiques, our workspace is modern and unique, and reflects our love of contemporary design. Our team consists of creative and dynamic industry professionals who love to design and promote Aritzia’s in-house brands, scope out the latest global trends, and continue learning and sharing their passion for fashion with our valued clientele – all in an environment that fosters long-term career planning and personal growth. Check us out at www.aritzia.com

Aritzia believes in providing an inclusive workplace where all individuals have opportunity to succeed. We are committed to doing so by providing accessible employment practices. Requests for accommodation due to a disability can be made at any stage of the recruitment process and applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known.