Assistant Merchant Hybrid

***This is a hybrid role onsite 3 days per week located in Hoffman Estates IL***

About the Role

The Assistant Merchant will be responsible for supporting the merchandising team across all aspects of the business. The Assistant Merchant will play a critical role in the detailed management of the product lifecycle process in tracking and organizing samples in preparing sales reports and in supporting the daily functions of the team.

• Support Merchant or Merchandise Manager and merchandising team on all daytoday functions for assigned category.

• Own multiple administrative tasks such as: Creating and preparing reports recaps and samples for daily weekly monthly and seasonal meetings; Writing updating and tracking purchase orders; Tracking product submits and samples; Maintaining seasonal buy recaps; and other deliverables to ensure timelines are met and that all information is complete and accurate.

• Manage and maintain sample process which includes sorting styles by category and/or season on a regular basis as well as coordinating and tracking all samples to ensure requirements are met and any product changes are communicated to the merchandise category owners and crossfunctional teams prior to shipment.

• Create and maintain style boards and line sheets with key product details to effectively communicate necessary information to crossfunctional teams and partners.

• Create and update purchase orders.

• Develop and maintain crossfunctional relationships with Design Product Development Marketing Planning ISP and other merchandising partners to understand and learn the seasonal buying process.

• Expert in customer and global competition for assigned department understanding other retailers assortments pricing and promotional strategies in comparison to Claires/Icing; Reports back findings white space opportunities and any relevant actions.

• Manage all email correspondence effectively and efficiently escalating concerns where necessary to the merchandising team.

• Display financial understanding and utilization of basic retail math to help analyze your departments business on weekly monthly and seasonal basis.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in fashion merchandising business or related field

• Experience in a retail environment and/or experience in merchandise buying preferred.

• Ability to work in a fastpaced dynamic environment.

• Strong organizational planning administrative and written and verbal communication skills

• Basic retail math skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)

Competencies

• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Takes ownership and responsibility to achieve business results. Effectively prioritizes daily assignments and plans to work accordingly. Consistently meets deadlines and expectations.

• LEARNING ORIENTED: Actively develops self and/or others using internal/external methods for growth. Pushes self by setting challenging goals to continuously improve.

• ENERGIZE OTHERS: Proactively motivates and inspires others and positively challenges others to be their best. Works collaboratively with other team members. Seeks opportunity to bring positive energy into the workplace.

• CHAMPION OF CHANGE: Embraces new ways of working has continuous improvement mindset and inspires others.

Claires is committed to adhering to all applicable company policies and federal state and local laws and regulations. All positions will be compensated at or above the legally mandated minimum wage for the location in which work is performed. The final compensation will be determined by various factors such as relevant work experience education certifications skills and geographic location.

Benefits for fulltime employees included medical dental and vision insurance voluntary welfare plans bonus plan eligibility 401(k) match vacation time sick time* and paid leave.

Benefits for parttime employees included voluntary welfare plans 401(k) match vacation time sick time* and paid leave in required states.

*Sick Time: For the State of Washington all employees will accrue paid sick time at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

Claires is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity equity and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants needs upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require.

Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. To request accommodation please email . Only messages sent for this purpose will be considered.