Merchandising Analyst, Home Jobs

Position Overview:
The Analyst assists in all aspects of global merchandising for Home products which include Flatware, Tableware, Glassware, Décor, Gaming, Pets, Baby, Lamps, Stationary. Responsibilities include new product planning, pricing, assortment & lifecycle planning, e-commerce guidance and reporting. The Analyst leads category reporting, managing the new product architecture, setting new product pricing, setting PDP guidance (web copy & shot direction), conducting competitive reviews and ensuring timely and accurate systematic product maintenance. The Analyst supports the Director in managing the global product offering and assortment tiers, writing design briefs, conducting lifecycle planning and executing ad hoc strategic projects. Effective cross-functional communication is critical to success in this role.
Key Accountabilities:
New Product Planning

• Manage communication flow of new product updates relating to line sheets, assortment baselines and pricing with cross-functional partners, including PD, DM, GP, GMO, GAP, RP, CVM, Marketing, PR, and regional teams
• Manage Architecture for all new products and maintenance of all new product systems and reporting tools
• Conduct competitive reviews to understand competitive landscape and to identify new product opportunities and inform new product pricing decisions
• Support Director in preparing analyses to inform new product ideas (e.g. business reviews, gap analyses)
• Support Director in writing Design Briefs

Pricing

• Maintain proper pricing relationships among internal comps with consideration of competitive comps
• Set sku-level pricing strategies to drive margin in line with company objectives
• Prepare pricing tools for formal price changes and partner with Manager in setting pricing recommendations
• Set pricing for all Custom Design requests
• Resolve any ad hoc pricing discrepancies and manage off-cycle price change process

Assortment Analysis and Life-Cycle Planning

• Partner with GAP to ensure assortments for new product are set within proper lead times for cross-functional planning; track feedback from cross-functional teams and recommend shifts in assortment baselines accordingly
• Support Director in conducting regular category assortment reviews to identify opportunities for new product introductions, assortment expansion/contractions and product discontinuations
• Assist CVM in planning for Directives and in-store merchandising by communicating new product plans and shifts in assortment strategies
• Support Director in preparing tools/analyses for any ad hoc assortment projects
• Support Director in setting baseline assortment strategies for new and existing product to maximize sales and inventory productivity while ensuring cohesive in-store displays
• Support Director in planning and executing Quarterly Obsolescence strategies

E-Commerce

• Update and validate pre-existing PDPs to align with evolving standards by partnering with Copy team and Photography Studio
• Partner with PD and QA to gather all necessary product details for web copy and ensure all information is accurately listed
• Conduct competitive reviews to ensure all information on PDPs are aligned to industry standards
• Review and approve web copy submitted by Copy team, providing recommendations for enhanced copy and sharing competitive insights where relevant
• Manage process for launching new product on Tiffany.com relating to web copy, product mapping and photography needs
• Provide initial shot direction to Photography Studio and Creative teams

Reporting and Cross-Functional Communication

• Support Director in preparing materials for executive meetings and conferences
• Support Director in completing ad hoc strategic projects
• Update, validate and distribute all category reporting with relevant highlights, including dashboards and product plans

Additional Responsibilities

• Work with IT to resolve merchandising system issues as needed
• Manage systematic updates for all existing product as needed
• Field product related inquiries from Retail and other cross-functional teams in timely fashion
• Validate product and pricing information in all Marketing, PR and CVM collateral
• Recommend products to highlight in Marketing and PR materials

Required Qualifications:

• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet shifting deadlines
• Advanced Excel skills and adaptability to new software and systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Analytical mindset, thinks strategically and demonstrates a desire to learn
• Desire to work in a team-oriented and collaborative environment
• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• Self-motivated with strong drive for achievement
• Comfort working in a highly dynamic environment
• Previous merchandising experience in Home/Furniture brands (West Elm, Crate and Barrel, Ikea, CB2, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, ABC…)