Senior Merchandiser - Hudson Jeans

Hudson is a Los Angeles-based clothing brand offering the very best denim, period. Founded in 2002, we’ve grown from a rebellious startup to an established champion of quality, community, and sustainability. Along with expertly crafted jeans, we pride ourselves on our commitment to local charities, volunteer programs, and social awareness campaigns, as well as our partnerships with innovative, eco-friendly factories around the globe. Our collections for women, men, and kids are carried at select department and specialty stores worldwide, as well as online at HudsonJeans.com.

The Senior Merchandiser manages the seasonal merchandising process, from concept to delivery, by bringing to market fresh, trend-appropriate assortments that meet customer needs and drive sales and coordinating the timely execution of each stage in the process.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Innovation

• Manage the implementation of strategy and assortment plans for merchandise category and channel, by delivery, to achieve the right balance of key items/fashion/basics, fit, value, price point, SKU count and volume; leverage competitive market intelligence to gain and maintain marketplace advantages; collaborate on concept development with Design; ensure assortment(s) meet cost structure(s)
• Partner with Design and Sales to identify and generate new product opportunities for category; shop for and source samples and inspiration; perform research to isolate key, relevant trends for category/brand, where appropriate; oversee all merchandising teams to ensure brand cohesiveness across categories
• Track implementation of assortment plans across categories and channels; analyze product performance, market conditions and feedback from customers continuously; update assortment strategies and identify and execute opportunities based on analysis

Operations & Results

• Partner with Design, Production and Sales to help build and ensure the execution of a time-and-action calendar and to achieve timely delivery of goods, sales growth, expense management and attainment of margin goals; collaboratively identify and resolve quality and technical issues; perform category forecasting and ensure progress toward established financial goals; motivate teams to achieve metrics
• Present line to senior colleagues and key accounts and buyers; direct review meetings, including edits, board review, pre-costing, line reviews, adoption and post-season reviews

Customers & Relationships

• Manage communication and follow-up with internal and external constituents around the world, including customers, suppliers, vendors and licensors, where applicable; partner with Production and tech to source new suppliers and vendors and maintain relationships with existing partners, including internal constituents; assist with problem solving and engage in negotiations as needed
• Collaborate with Sales to merchandise and style showroom; assist EVP and Brand Management, where applicable, on collateral for in-store marketing needs
• Maintain relationships with collaborators and competitors; attend trade shows and industry events

Leadership & Teams

• Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary
• Attract, develop and retain talent
• Monitor and evaluate performance of individuals

• Experience and understanding of wholesale apparel merchandising, manufacturing, global supply chain operations, and mass market distribution
• Entrepreneurial drive tempered by judgment and strong leadership skills
• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; experience managing and motivating teams
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented, meticulous and creative
• Knowledge and passion for what is happening in the fashion industry (both product and business trends)
• Creativity, sensibility for merchandising and customer needs
• Knowledge of garment construction
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5 - 8 years experience in apparel merchandising or buying; relevant experience in categories
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, proficiency in SAP preferred