We are currently recruiting for an Associate Merchant to join our Corporate Headquarters located in Smithfield, RI.  This position reports to our Business Unit President and has the following responsibilities:

• Effectively increase annual revenues in comparable stores so that they match or exceed the overall company growth rate.
• Achieve the annual sales, gross margin and inventory turn goals.
• Assist in the operating plan. 
• Accurately forecast gross sales weekly and seasonal credits related to product returns and inventory markdowns.
• Collaborate with Finance and Cost Accounting to forecast customer profitability through the corporate proforma process.
• Develop and implement merchandising programs, including picking the assortments, pricing, selecting key items and developing promotional strategies to drive sales.
• Build strong partnerships and negotiate appropriate merchandising programs with key accounts and buyers.
• Develop and communicate plan-o-grams and work closely with the stores on how to merchandise products effectively.
• Utilize data to effectively determine which items to add and which to drop in order to maximize returns.
• Recommend product mix and pricing utilizing quantifiable information to support the case.
• Provide collaborative guidance, direction and support to the planning organization in the development of merchandise, initial item inventory levels and forecasts and ladder plans.
• Prepare product, sales analysis, strategies and sales materials for account presentation meetings.
• Visit stores to evaluate overall assortment, observe and evaluate competitive products.
• Work collaboratively with Product Development regarding design styling, sourcing and pricing and product branding. 
• Participate in collaborative meetings with Supply Chain Management to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree and 2-5 years related experience. 
• Strong merchandising, product and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and decision making skills.
• Must be computer savvy and proficient in Microsoft Office. 
• Retail math literacy and application of concepts to daily operations.
• Proven track record of successfully merchandising items that have led to a significant return on investment and profitable growth.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate message to all levels of management within both internal and external customer management organizations.
• Results oriented and self-directed individual with the ability to work independently while keeping direct supervisors abreast of project status.
• Must possess a good tactical business sense and be in tune with the needs of the customers, stores and the overall organization.

If you have what it takes to be a part of our team, we’d like to hear from you. 

 To apply go to http://fgxicorporate.appone.com 
 
(Resumes will not be considered unless received though the site listed above & include salary information)

Check us out on the web at: www.fgxi.com