Assistant Merchant

At Build-A-Bear we believe in the power of imagination, creativity, and memorable experiences. Our mission is to add a little more heart to life by creating unique experiences, lasting connections, and beloved memories that create lasting emotional connections. We are a multi-channel, site-based experience and entertainment company, with diversified categories and consumer segments. We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Assistant Merchant to join our dynamic team.The Assistant Merchant's primary responsibility is to support driving business growth within their assigned categories, achieving plans set forth by the organization, maintaining the strength of existing businesses and enhancing the guest experience through the development and execution of compelling product assortments across omnichannel platforms. This includes supporting the development and execution of the merchandise assortment, strategy and buys for products within a key segment of the business.Responsibilities:• Assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive merchandise strategy that aligns to business goals• Plan and manage omnichannel assortments for key segments of the business and execute product buys• Cultivate close working relationships with Planners to align buying strategies and inventory management, collaborating on determining optimal order quantities• Observe and assess sales and market trends, focusing on future data and upcoming trends to help inform buying decisions and identify opportunities for innovation and growth• Support the continuous adaptation of the strategy to meet evolving business needs, maintaining a forward-looking vision that anticipates future trends and opportunities• Analyze top sellers and marketing impact, and implement initiatives to assist in executing business plans and improving performance• Collaborate and communicate cross-functional teams to ensure business success• Assist in creating and delivering engaging and persuasive presentations to key stakeholders• Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies to support innovation and help maintain the company's competitive edge in the retail spaceRequired Qualifications:• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a buyer/merchant or related field• Bachelor's degree• Skilled in Microsoft Office• Skilled in data analytics• Proficient in PLM systemsPreferred Qualifications:• 3-4 years previous merchant experienceBehavioral Traits for Success:• Driven to achieve results that align with the strategic goals of the organization• Initiative, sense of urgency, and the ability to stay focused on results despite changing conditions• Analytical approach to decisions• Ability to purposely drive toward results while problem-solving and engaging the commitment of others• A leadership style that is goal-oriented yet motivates, trains, and engages others• Learns quickly and thoroughly• Effective delegation• Results focus on idea generation, use of analytics, and creative problem-solving• Willingly accepts accountability for resultsWorking Environment:• Typical office environment with climate control and sufficient lighting, ergonomic desk/chairs• Corporate Office located St. Louis, MO• Hybrid Work ScheduleYour Performance Will Be Measured On:Your performance will be measured by your ability to achieve annual department objectives and corporate goals which include but are not limited to the following.• Decision-making, judgment, and execution• Communication• Deadlines, Accuracy, and Quality• Product assortment, pricing, procurement, and product lifecycle management• Achievement of sales and profitability targets• Accuracy of market trend predictions and their impact on the current strategy• Quality presentations that are engaging and offer actionable insight• Strength of cross-functional collaboration• Timely response to consumer responses and team needs• Stakeholder Feedback