Join our community

About us

Talbots is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, we are known for modern classic style that's both timeless and timely, fine quality craftsmanship and gracious service. At Talbots relationships are the key to our business, we hire individuals who bring new ideas to the table, understand smart risk taking and can enhance an already thriving culture. With a commitment to offer modern classic style for every body type, through a full range of sizes, inclusive to every woman in your life.

About the role

The Merchant position is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and selection of merchandise to optimize sales growth and contribute to bottom line profit for their given department(s). This position executes quarterly buy strategies at the style/color level, exhibits a passion and eye for product, conducts in-depth analysis, both financial and trend, and leads collaborative cross-functional partnerships.

The impact you can have

• Analyze business performance on a weekly basis and present results to cross-functional and leadership teams.

• Hindsight prior seasons through extensive product, trend, and competitive analysis to plan for the next season.

• Build seasonal frameworks, work collaboratively to ensure strategies are in place to maximize business opportunities as well as seasonal trends.

• Drive partnership with Design team to evolve our proven core product and introduce merchandise that is new, trend right, works within our brand filter, and moves the business forward.

• Utilize merchandizing buy tool to plan all merchandise buys to the style/color level.

• Drive partnership with Planning and Inventory Management on reviewing sales, receipt, and style/color counts; partner on managing in-season business sales results, promo and mark down cadence.

• Drive partnership with Sourcing to achieve target IMU plans, make seasonal fabric projections, participate in discussions on costs, deliveries, and other vendor related matters.

• Drive partnership with Visual and Marketing teams to ensure product placement, presentation and storytelling are all executed according to strategy or current business trend.

• Oversee review of all catalog and web content for department as released, work with teams to ensure accurate product representation

You’ll bring to the role

• Bachelor’s degree

• 5+ of experience in a buying, planning and/or inventory management role

• Innate sense of fashion and ability to analyze and translate trends

• Possess analytical skills, ability to draw smart conclusions and make thoughtful recommendations

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team

• Strong writing and presentation skills

• Must be able to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment

• Must be a creative and critical thinker, with the ability to problem solve

Benefits at KnitWell Group

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.

• Support for your individual development plus career mobility within our family of brands   

• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities*  

• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K) retirement* 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Time off – paid time off & holidays*

*Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role. 

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

#LI-KB1

Location:

Position Type:

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact myHRSupport@knitwellgroup.com. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.