Associate Director, Merchandising (Women's Apparel)

Who We Are:

Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We're #2.

Since 2009, we've been on a mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. Named one of Fast Company’s Brands That Matter and winning a Best Carbon Footprint award, we have big goals like being Climate Positive by 2025, Circular by 2030, and pushing the whole industry forward along the way. Our work has gotten love in Drapers and Sourcing Journal, and TIME wrote about how great our CEO, Hali Borenstein, is. Basically, we're saving the Earth and looking damn good doing it.

We're a global brand with 50+ stores (and counting) around the world, and our own sustainable factory in LA. We innovate across categories like accessories, swimwear, and sleepwear, and we reach millions of people with campaigns like this, this and this. 

None of this work is possible without the incredible people behind it. We're a mission-based company that invests in an inclusive culture, so we can innovate together and ensure everyone has the space to grow, thrive, and belong.

And starting right now, we want to do all that with you.

The Associate Director, Merchandising will be responsible for creating and maintaining a balanced merchandise mix to offer the best in class assortment of product for the Ref customer. The ideal candidate has strong analytical skills and an entrepreneurial spirit, as well as excellent communication skills. This is a highly collaborative role in which close partnership with a variety of cross functional teams is key to success. This person will be responsible for achieving sales targets, managing OTB, inventory, gross margin and net profits through product curation. The Associate Director, Merchandising will need to be data-driven and have an ability to combine complex analysis with market knowledge to produce actionable recommendations. 

 What You'll Do: 

• Research and assess the competitive landscape and marketplace to inform product strategy and provide insight into white space opportunities.  
• Harbor a deep understanding of our current and evolving core customer base as well as the market
• Manage the open to buy and advocate for additional / less OTB based on business trends
• Meet and exceed sales and inventory goals
• Identify and implement new initiatives to optimize weekly sales and margins
• Develop and present weekly, monthly and seasonal lineplans
• Partner with design to develop cohesive monthly product assortment plans 
• Partner with design to identify and develop new product opportunities that will be true to the Ref aesthetic while also bringing in a new customer
• Build and manage successful replenishment strategy for evergreen styles
• Curate retail assortment and drive in-store allocation and buys to reflect category initiatives, ensuring appropriate inventory levels that will maximize sales
• Partner closely with production and supply chain to prioritize business needs
• Partner closely with Ecomm and Marketing teams to coordinate Go-lives, Newsletter, Waitlist, Site Merchandising and Preorder Strategy.
• Create compelling pricing structures while upholding target margins
• Analyze product performance weekly and identify key styles, chase opportunity and franchise expansion products that will maximize sales
• Manage and communicate reporting and selling results and trends to cross functional teams and leadership
• Track SKU-level sales, inventory and outstanding orders on a daily basis and make adjustments to plans as needed
• Communicate product strategies to ensure all cross functional teams are aware of on-going launches and courses of action
• Identify and improve workflow opportunities 

Who You Are:

• You possess an entrepreneurial spirit with strong problem solving skills 
• You are a proven leader who can set targets and manage a cross-functional effort to achieve those targets
• You love product and completely get the Reformation customer
• You are a collaborative, hard working problem solver who leads by example
• You motivate others and inspire your coworkers
• You are a self starter who can work proactively & independently as well as collaboratively 
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment
• You are comfortable giving honest, direct feedback and you communicate clearly
• You are deeply passionate about the environment 
• Your colleagues love working with you and your manager loves having you on the team

What You’ll Need: 

• 5-7 years of Merchant / Buying experience at a retailer / e-commerce company
• Proven business and strategic acumen
• Analytical and Math Skills specific to merchandise planning
• Strong Excel Knowledge
• Eye for product trend 
• Attention to detail
• Can-do, positive attitude
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Experience working in a Women’s Apparel category is a plus!

 

Benefits & Perks:

• Eligible employees get employer-sponsored private medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as commuter benefits to help support your travel to and from work.
• We offer competitive paid time off policies including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays for eligible employees. 
• We offer retirement planning support for eligible employees, including the option to invest in Environmental Social Governance-aligned (fancy way to say sustainable) funds. 
• We’re a mission-based company with offices in LA, NYC and London, as well as a global retail team, which means you’ll get to collaborate with people all around the world.
• You’ll get access to fertility care support through Carrot, and up to a $5,000 USD reimbursement for related fertility expenses after 1 year of employment.
• We care about the causes our employees care about so we donate to community efforts on a yearly basis. 
• We offer a clothing discount, culture events (like our annual Ref Values week and Volunteer Time Off), you know, all the meaningful and fun stuff!

 

Reformation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the world we want to live in. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status—in accordance with applicable international, federal, state, and local laws.

If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We’re here to ensure you have what you need to show up as your best self.

Still don’t know if you should apply? We get it—studies show that many women and individuals from historically underrepresented communities hold back from applying unless they meet every single requirement. At Reformation, we’re all about growth, not gatekeeping. If you’re passionate about the role and excited about making fashion more sustainable, we’d love to hear from you. If this role doesn’t totally excite you, consider applying to our general application.

 

CRPA Notice found here

Want some more?! - Sustainability, Forbes, Fast Company