Associate Merchant - AE Factory

Get to Know the Role:

Support in executing the merchandising strategy to maximize the American Eagle Factory (FTY) business across all divisions. This role acts as a key partner to the cross-functional team (CFT) and is responsible for analyzing business performance, organizing seasonal product roadmaps, and ensuring alignment across all areas of the product lifecycle.

What You’ll Do:

• Business Analysis & Strategy: Analyze and react to business performance on a weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis, driving departmental strategy, and suggesting high-impact business updates based on findings. Prepare and present business findings and actions to maximize the FTY business for weekly meetings and align with OMNI teams on chase, pricing, and placement updates.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Create and maintain the organization of MFO (made for outlet) product roadmaps and total FTY store choice count mapping. Take a first pass at the MFO roadmap prior to concept meetings and ensure alignment with OMNI merchant, design and production teams throughout milestone meetings.
• Inventory & Financial Acumen: Contribute to program volume planning by quarter (with planning partner), including taking the first pass at MFO program plans and aligning on comp and productivity strategy for approval.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Present MFO product in coordination meetings, covering category strategy, CC counts, ticket/promotional structure, cost, promo, using factual data to support decisions. Work closely with OMNI Merchant, Planning, Design, Production, Allocation and Visual Merchandising CFT members to achieve business goals.
• Visual Merchandising & Store Experience: Collaborate with the Visual Merchandising team on pre-season store mapping. Prioritize high volume driving programs in focal store placement and strategize through potential clearance inventory needs for future floorsets. Conduct quarterly comp shops, recap learnings, and present actions for future seasons.

What You Bring:

• 3+ years of experience in Merchandising or Buying.
• Proven ability to read, diagnose, and drive action from business findings in a clear and efficient way.
• High level of curiosity and a strong sense of urgency, with a dedication to process improvement and attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present strategy and field questions in a concise manner.
• Demonstrated financial acumen and understanding of retail math, including metrics like LDP and MMU %.
• Proficiency in Google (i.e. GMail, Sheets, Slides, Docs) and Excel.

Key Business Partners:

• Design
• Production
• Merchandise Planning, Inventory Planning
• Business Strategies
• Marketing
• Store Teams

Perks: Why You’ll Love it Here

• Summer Fridays
• Casual dress code
• FOMO events (Exciting company-wide events)

Pay/Benefits Information

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please clickhere
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.

AEO, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Info

• Job Identification 26906
• Job Category Merchandising
• Posting Date 05/26/2026, 08:06 PM
• Locations New York Design Office - 63 Madison
• Job Schedule Full time
• Anticipated Pay Range for All Posted Locations $65,000 - $80,000