Lead Merchandiser

Columbus, OH, United States Be the First to Apply Job Description YOUR ROLE As the full-time Merchandising Team Leader, you are the Store Team Leader's "go-to" in developing and implementing the Merchandising strategy for the store. Your passion lies in training and coaching your team into great merchants delivering AEO brand Visual standards every day. Through your leadership, your team always nails floorset execution, and rocks merchandising and marketing brand standards. You ensure the store is always "guest ready" through effective replenishment. Most importantly, you represent our company values and bring your REAL self to work every day. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES You have a passion for driving sales: As a key LOD (Leader on Duty), you're an expert at driving sales by maximizing Fitting Room and Salesfloor productivity and building guest loyalty through a best-in-class guest experience. You contribute to the overall financial success of the store by analyzing reporting and daily trends to make strategic business decisions. You're the Store Team Leader's right hand in developing short and long-term business plans to drive key KPIs. You’re a merchandising innovator: You coach your team to deliver an outstanding guest experience by ensuring your store is always representative of AEO Brand Standards. You ensure your store stays in tip‑top shape by leading day‑to‑day merchandising, sell‑through adjustments and replenishment. You have a keen eye for merchandising opportunities and are always ready with a game plan to take action! You’re a people leader: You’re all about motivating and inspiring your team through AEO's core values. You’re a role‑model leader and you always hold your team accountable to rocking AEO's customer service standards, especially on the Salesfloor and in the Fitting Room. You’ve got an eye for talent and a love of training: You make it a top priority to recruit and hire strong talent to ensure the store is always staffed to meet business needs. You take pride in training and developing your team to ensure they continue to provide outstanding service to the best of their abilities. You know that teamwork makes the dream work: You know that building a great team requires you to consistently provide ongoing performance feedback through real‑time coaching. You make team touchbases, development plans, and performance reviews a priority and you drive associate engagement by celebrating your team's outstanding performance - #winning! You’re an operational innovator: You’re a natural at executing and innovating daily operational procedures, you support the team in maintaining visual standards throughout every zone in the store, and most importantly, you ensure the Fitting Rooms are always guest‑ready and rocking AEO Brand Standards. Integrity is your middle name: You ensure store safety standards are maintained, you're committed to Asset Protection standards, you always adhere to AEO's policies and procedures, and you do the right thing - always. YOU'D BE GREAT FOR THIS ROLE IF: You love AE and Aerie products! You've led teams in a retail management role previously - #practicemakesperfect! You can multi-task and have attention to detail; priority-setting and time management are your strong suits. You know how to lead and develop teams and have a general understanding of employment law. Business acumen? You've got it! You have flexible availability - you're available to work when the guest shops! OUR ASSOCIATES LOVE AEO BECAUSE: They work with REAL people - there's nothing like your #AEOFamily. They're given opportunities for development, the chance to learn new skills, and are offered great potential for career advancement. They receive 40% off product at both AE & Aerie year-round (plus additional seasonal discounts with new Floorsets!) They participate in store contests for the chance to win FREE merchandise and other exclusive prizes. About Us OFFLINE™ by Aerie offers a complete collection of activewear and accessories made for real movement and real comfort. Built on the success of Aerie's leggings and sports bras, OFFLINE™'s unique take on an active lifestyle celebrates real life - when some days you feel like you can take on the world and other days you need that extra push to get off the couch. Our Real Good promise extends to the OFFLINE™ collections with some of our best-selling fleece, leggings and tees made with the planet in mind. AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of the individual's race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to all AEO activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law. 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 click HERE . AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion. Job Info Job Identification 26837 Job Category Stores Posting Date 05/21/2026, 12:46 PM Locations Offline Polaris Fashion Place - 06897 Job Schedule Full time Job Shift Variable Anticipated Pay Range for All Posted Locations $20.20/hour up to $31.60/hour #J-18808-Ljbffr