Role Summary
The Merchandising & Product Development Associate provides essential operational, data, and cross-functional coordination support to both the Merchandising and Product Development teams. This role ensures accuracy across product data, facilitates smooth seasonal workflows, and helps maintain alignment between internal teams and external partners. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple concurrent tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Execution
- Support seasonal workflows, calendars, and timelines for both Merchandising and Product Development.
- Assist with SKU creation, item setup, and maintenance across systems.
- Track product samples from development through merchandising needs, ensuring timely delivery for reviews, fittings, and meetings.
- Maintain line sheets, assortment/pricing documents, and product trackers.
- Assist with document updates such as tech pack revisions, BOM updates, and product detail changes as directed.
- Request and track deadlines and packaging artwork between marketing PD and the factory
Data Management & Accuracy
- Input and maintain product attributes, specifications, and pricing across internal tools and PLM/product systems.
- Validate data accuracy across systems to ensure correct information flows to Planning, Marketing, e-Commerce, and Operations.
- Run reports (selling data, product data pulls, assortment summaries) to support business reviews.
- Organize and maintain seasonal data, ensuring version control and accessibility for all stakeholders.
- Maintain development cross-functional tracker
Cross-Functional Communication & Coordination
- Liaise across Design, Planning, Sourcing, Marketing, and Operations to gather required information and meet deadlines.
- Communicate status updates on samples, product data, and deliverables to relevant teams.
- Coordinate vendor communication as directed by the Product Development team (sample needs, timelines, follow-ups).
- Support preparation for milestone meetings: line reviews, development reviews, leadership presentations, etc.
Qualifications
- 1–2 years of relevant experience in Merchandising, Product Development, or related areas (internships included).
- Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets; familiarity with PLM systems is a plus.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
- Strong communication skills with comfort working cross-functionally.
- Interest in apparel/consumer product development and merchandising processes.
Success Indicators
- Accurate and timely product data maintenance.
- Smooth execution of seasonal calendars with few delays.
- Clear, proactive communication of deliverables and sample statuses.
- Improved bandwidth for Merchandising and Product Development teams through reliable support.
