Sales & Merchandising Associate - Women's Apparel

Job Description

The Opportunity

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Jainsons International is seeking a highly motivated, organized and product-driven Sales & Merchandising Associate to work closely with company leadership and our Sales, Design and Product Development teams.

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This is not a traditional administrative assistant position.

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We are looking for someone who wants to be directly involved in the commercial side of the women's apparel business — helping prepare for customer meetings, managing sales follow-up, coordinating product developments, organizing samples, researching retail opportunities and ensuring that important projects actually move from conversation to completion.

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The right person will become an important right hand to senior management and the sales organization.

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This is an excellent opportunity for someone with several years of apparel experience who wants significant exposure to sales, merchandising, product development, major retailers and the overall operation of an established apparel company.

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About Jainsons International

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Jainsons International is an established Los Angeles-based women's apparel company with decades of experience across:

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Design | Product Development | Private Label | Wholesale | Global Sourcing | Manufacturing | Distribution

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We operate across the Juniors, Young Contemporary, Contemporary and Missy women's apparel markets and develop product and programs for major U.S. retailers.

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In addition to our core private-label and wholesale business, Jainsons owns two women's fashion brands, Rahi and Dizzy Lizzy.

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Our Los Angeles team works closely with international sourcing and manufacturing operations to move product from initial concept through development, costing, production and delivery.

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What You Will DoSupport Sales & Management

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• Work directly with senior management and the sales team on daily business priorities.
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• Help prepare for buyer meetings, sales presentations and customer appointments.
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• Maintain organized follow-up lists from meetings and ensure action items are completed.
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• Track customer requests, developments, pricing, samples and pending opportunities.
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• Follow up internally with Design, Product Development, Production and overseas teams.
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• Help ensure important customer opportunities do not get delayed or lost due to lack of follow-through.
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• Prepare sales recaps, line sheets, product presentations and other customer-facing materials.
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• Maintain visibility into open opportunities and upcoming deadlines.
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Merchandising & Product

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This role requires someone who genuinely likes fashion and product.

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You will:

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• Work with Design and Sales to help merchandise product for specific customers.
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• Assist in preparing and organizing collections for buyer presentations.
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• Help determine which styles and developments should be shown to different retailers.
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• Maintain and organize samples, development racks and customer-specific assortments.
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• Track new samples and developments from overseas.
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• Research competitive products, trends, price points and retail assortments.
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• Shop stores and online competitors to identify emerging items and opportunities.
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• Help communicate buyer feedback to Design and Product Development.
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• Assist with line sheets, CAD presentations, product information and selling materials.
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Customer & Account Follow-Up

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• Communicate professionally with customers when required.
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• Coordinate samples and information requested by buyers.
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• Track customer comments and outstanding approvals.
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• Help prepare follow-up after buyer meetings.
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• Maintain organized records of customer developments and opportunities.
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• Assist senior sales executives with account management and day-to-day customer needs.
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Business Development Support

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This position will also participate in Jainsons' efforts to develop new business.

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You may assist with:

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• Researching prospective retailers and accounts.
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• Identifying appropriate buyers and decision-makers.
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• Preparing introductory presentations.
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• Researching what prospective customers currently sell.
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• Identifying product from Jainsons' collections that may be relevant to specific retailers.
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• Tracking outreach and new-business opportunities.
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• Supporting sales executives as they develop new accounts.
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The Person We Are Looking For

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We are looking for someone who is smart, fast, organized, commercially minded and extremely strong at follow-through.

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You should be the type of person who hears ten things discussed in a meeting and immediately knows:

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What needs to happen next?

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Who is responsible?

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When is it due?

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Has it actually been completed?

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At the same time, this is a fashion business.

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You should enjoy looking at product and thinking:

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Which customer is this right for?

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Is the price right?

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What is selling in the market?

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What should we be developing next?

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Qualifications

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Ideal candidates will have:

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• 2–5+ years of experience in women's apparel in sales, merchandising, product development, wholesale or a related position.
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• Experience within Juniors, Young Contemporary, Contemporary and/or Missy apparel preferred.
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• Understanding of the wholesale apparel business and major U.S. retailers.
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• Strong fashion and product instincts.
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• Excellent organizational and follow-up skills.
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• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
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• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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• Confidence communicating with sales executives, designers, overseas teams and customers.
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• Strong Excel, PowerPoint and general Microsoft Office skills.
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• Experience preparing line sheets, sales presentations or product recaps is highly desirable.
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• Ability to work independently and take ownership of assignments.
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• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the larger commercial objective.
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This Position Is NOT...

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We want candidates to understand what this opportunity is — and isn't.

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This is not:

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• A receptionist position.
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• A purely administrative assistant role.
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• A data-entry position.
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• A position where you wait to be told every next step.
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• A purely creative/design position.
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This is a hands-on commercial role for someone who wants to learn and participate in many parts of an apparel business.

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Why This Role Is Different

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You will work closely with senior management and company ownership, giving you exposure to decisions and opportunities that are normally separated across several departments.

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You will see how:

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Retail Opportunities → Product → Design → Development → Costing → Sales → Manufacturing → Delivery

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come together.

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For the right person, this position can develop into a larger role within Sales, Merchandising, Account Management or Business Development as the company grows.

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We are looking for someone who wants that opportunity.

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About Our Business

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The successful candidate will work across Jainsons' core private-label/wholesale business as well as opportunities involving our owned women's fashion brands Rahi and Dizzy Lizzy.

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This provides exposure to both:

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Major Retail / Private Label

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and

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Branded Women's Fashion

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within the same company.

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Compensation

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Salary: $65,000–$85,000+, depending on relevant apparel experience and capabilities.

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Exceptional candidates with stronger merchandising, account-management or sales experience may be considered above the stated range.

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Benefits

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• Health Insurance
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• 401(k)
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• Paid Time Off
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• Growth Opportunity
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Location

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Sherman Oaks / Los Angeles, California

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Full-Time | In-Person

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Because this position works closely with management, Sales, Design, samples and physical product, this is primarily an in-office position.

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To Apply

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Please submit your resume along with a brief response to the following:

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• What women's apparel experience do you have?
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• Have you worked in Sales, Merchandising, Product Development or Account Management?
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• Which retailers/accounts have you worked with or supported?
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• What types of women's apparel product have you worked on?
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• Have you prepared line sheets, buyer presentations, product recaps or sales materials?
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• Why are you interested in a role that combines Sales, Merchandising and direct exposure to company management?
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Relevant fashion/apparel experience is strongly preferred.

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Benefits:

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• 401(k)
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• Health insurance
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Work Location: In person