At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.
We're driven by a shared passion for delivering exceptional products and experiences that inspire people to enjoy the outdoors. As an Associate Corporate Merchant for our Accessories category , you'll join a collaborative, values-driven team that works across functions to shape product assortments, influence business strategy, and bring innovative ideas to life.
Position Purpose:
This Associate Corporate Merchant will work to achieve sales, gross margin, brand positioning and profit goals of a specific business through the selection, pricing and promotion of merchandise that maximizes the Company's return on investment for our Accessories category. Develop and implement category strategies including analysis and appropriate reaction to sales trends in order to maximize business. Creates the line plan and acts as the "Final Editor" of the line and line plan. Provide direction and continuously communicate with internal partners including Retail Merchandising, Ecommerce, Merchandise Planning, Product Development, Design, Inventory Management and Creative - reinforcing the division's goals and strategies.
This role is based at our beautiful Corporate Headquarters in Freeport, Maine. As an on-site position, regular in-person collaboration is essential, with an expectation of being in the office 4-5 days each week.
Responsibilities:
Strategy
Concept Ideation: Perform market research; assess the competition; bring forward new product ideas
Strategic Planning: Participates in strategic planning discussions as a learner; provides input
Market Research
Gather market data & create reports to support assessment of competition - preseason / in season (i.e., ratings & reviews; market basket)
Planning & Analytics
Reviews & reports out on ratings & reviews
Provides input to the development of Division level concepts, items, and promotional strategies
Provides input to merchandising & selling the line
Review & provide input to in-season markdowns
Core Work: Tools and systems management
Maintains & ensures data integrity for variety of systems
Communicates changes to stakeholders
May manage photo sample process
For assigned business areas
Responsible for the line plan
Identify opportunities & risks through analyzing sales performance and gathering marketplace information
Participates in review of sales, receipt flow, inventory & margin projections to maximize sales & minimize risks
Provide support & coordination for the team and manage small SKUs/Dollars demand center
Communicates to cross-department group; makes presentations
Performs moderately complex analysis of data. Identifies trends. Makes suggestions.
Additional duties as assigned
Health and Safety Requirement: Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.
Education Level: 4-Year Bachelors Degree
Years of Experience: 1+ years
Skills and Qualifications:
Must live within a commutable distance to the Corporate HQ located in Freeport, Maine
Shows emerging leadership skills as evidenced by ability to delegate & mentor others.
Tasks are tactical in nature.
Solid written & verbal skills.
Multiple tasks assigned and reviewed only after completion.
Merchandise and institutional process knowledge preferred
Strong oral and…