Merchant, Handbags & Footwear

STAUD Clothing, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, has an opening for a Merchant of Handbags & Footwear working a hybrid in-office/remote role in West Hollywood, CA. Founded in Los Angeles in 2015 by Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto, Staud stands at the intersection of vintage inspiration and modern design—cool, confident, and deeply tied to culture. From cult-favorite accessories to elevated collaborations with brands like Birkenstock and St. Regis, Staud has built a world that’s distinctly LA yet globally resonant. STAUD offers a health care plan to include medical coverage, dental care, vision insurance, an FSA plan, and a matching 401k plan. Role Overview This role will be responsible for the end-to-end merchandising strategy, product lifecycle management, and commercial performance of the Handbags and Footwear categories across all channels (Wholesale, DTC, Retail). The ideal candidate has a strong eye for product, deep understanding of market trends, and proven experience building high-performing assortments that drive sales and ensures a compelling product assortment across all channels. Product & Assortment Planning Own the seasonal merchandising strategy for Handbags and Footwear, ensuring alignment with brand vision and commercial goals. Develop seasonal assortments and SKU plans, ensuring a balanced mix of product that aligns with brand vision and customer demand. Partner with Ready-To-Wear merchant on building quarterly product roadmap to present to Design. Build channel-specific assortments that support both global and regional needs. Support in managing the product lifecycle, including style selection, SKU management, and line sheet creation. Partner cross functionally with apparel team to ensure the collection aligns with material & color palette across categories and addresses completing the look. Conduct competitive research and market analysis to identify emerging trends, pricing strategies, and product opportunities Track and analyze weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales performance, identifying key trends, bestsellers, and underperforming styles. Assist in developing reports and processes to analyze product performance, track SKUs, and manage future assortments. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with design, production, and buying teams to ensure deliverables are met and merchandising strategy is executed. Partner with marketing and DTC teams to support product launches, storytelling, and promotional strategies. Operational & Administrative Support Maintain accurate product data, including style details, pricing, and attributes within internal systems. Support in preparing for key meetings, including selling reviews, product meetings, line edits and internal strategy sessions. Utilize critical thinking and problem solving to identify challenges, evaluate potential solutions, and implement effective strategies. Prerequisite Knowledge, Skills, and Education Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or related field preferred. Minimum of 5 years of merchandising, buying, or product experience within the Retail Wholesale and Ecommerce Apparel Industry. Advanced in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets, Microsoft Powerpoint/Google Slides, and retail reporting tools. Strong analytical skills and business acumen with ability to interpret sales data, customer feedback, and market trends, providing valuable insights to guide product decisions. Ability to align with, collaborate, and influence cross-functional partners. Excellent attention to detail, organization, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. Passion for fashion, trend awareness, and an understanding of the competitive landscape. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills. Ability to travel as required. Possesses a strong business sense and can decipher priorities and make sound judgment calls on a routine basis. Physical and Mental Requirements Standing and sitting for extended periods of time. Lifting up to 25 pounds in a safe and prudent manner. Ability to easily move throughout an office with ease. Ability to read, write, and understand English. Ability to effectively interact with others internally and externally. Ability to utilize office equipment in a safe and prudent manner, including a copy machine, fax machine, computer, telephone, and other general office equipment that may be used regularly. Ability to kneel, crouch, bend, push, pull, stoop, and lift above shoulders. Ability to work with many different personalities. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr