Ralph Lauren Brand Merchandising Associate, Luxury

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview
The Brand Merchandising Associate is responsible for day-to-day merchandise activities to support the wider Purple Label merchandising team. They are responsible for weekly meeting documentation, system and report creation, and line opening materials/tracking. Merchant teams play a key role in all major events throughout the process (i.e. design final, adoption, line opening & costing).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Research:
• Identify growth opportunities and protect needs of business for product category.
• Comprehensive knowledge and adherence to product category, calendar milestones, line development and status.
• Weekly analysis and knowledge of global business performance; partnering with regional teams to understand needs of regional businesses.
• Knowledge of competition and trends, identifying new opportunities appropriate for brand. Financial:
• Provide support and direction for the merchandising process.
• Develop and partner with the planning team on Global Line Plans - creating super season category strategies inclusive of style and SKU plans with a focus on delivery flow - understanding sales history, top volume drivers, fashion and price tier matrices and new market opportunities.
• Assist in driving Assortment Plan to Win - focus on core, seasonal core and seasonal product flow and balance (a classic v-concept approach within product life cycle).
• Prepare analysis on sales trend and sell through, volume drivers and SKU productivity to influence business driving recommendations.
• Manage OK to BUY process.
• Create and maintain assortment data in GFE; including accurate & timely data entry & system updates for all merchandising item definition and line changes; ensuring all cross-functional teams are in alignment.
• Ensure accuracy and distribution of Change Control Form to cross-functional teams and regions.
• Assist with ad hoc projects and work with the team as requests arise. Communication:
• Partner with cross-functional team members to drive business objectives. o Design: work closely together on the line creation - driving a balance with fashion and price tier while merging business and brand intentions and maintaining the integrity of the GLP. o Production/PM: partner to meet category margin targets, understanding all cost components and cost saving challenges. o Regions + Channels: partner on upfront business needs to incorporate into line creation and provide daily support on product needs through both the development and in-store life cycle.
• Communicate & distribute all critical merchandising information to key functional areas on a timely basis.
• Maintain and follow through on daily interaction with Design and Production to ensure accurate on-order, delivery flow, change control & calendar adherence for product category.
• Attend line status meetings, driving product category and managing change.
• Create and present seasonal product strategy and line plan for product category, ensuring they support global brand direction.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Product development/merchandising experience in Men's Wear, Accessories and Footwear preferred.
• Strong analytical and retail math skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal & teamwork skills.
• Evident leadership and influencing skills.
• Highly organized, detail oriented & accurate.
• Resourceful, efficient and able to take initiative.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Priority and time management.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in MS Office applications, Retail Math, and systems knowledge (GFE+). #LI-CE1