Associate Merchant (Hybrid)

Hoffman Estates, IL - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 42640 - 58240

Posted on: 13-10-2025

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Assistant Merchant will be responsible for supporting the merchandising team across all aspects of the business to curate commercial global trend right assortments with a constant consideration for our customer. 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.

Main Responsibilities

Support Merchant or Merchandise Manager and merchandising team on all day-to-day 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 cross-functional teams prior to shipment
Create and maintain style boards and line sheets with key product details to effectively communicate necessary information to cross-functional teams and partners
Create and update purchase orders
Develop and maintain cross-functional 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 e-mail 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
Own a product area to analyse and report on weekly. Providing tactical in season trading actions to drive the business forward.
Customer and competitor awareness. Present findings and white space opportunities to keep innovating product and stay current with consumer behavior.

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 fast-paced dynamic environment
Strong organizational planning administrative and written and verbal communication skills
Basic retail math skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Excel)

Compensation Range: $42640.00 - $58240.00

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 full-time 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 part-time 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.

Required Experience: