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About West Marine

We don’t just sell anchors and rigging. We sell a love of the water that lasts for generations.

We don’t just sell life jackets and flares. We sell peace of mind for your most precious cargo.

We don’t just have a passion for boating. We have a lifetime of experience that we can’t wait to share with you.

So when you shop at West Marine, it’s not just for boating gear – it’s for the pure pursuit of more water and less hassle.

If you have a passion for being on the water and are looking to join a world-class organization, then West Marine is the place for you! West Marine is recognized as the premier multi-channel retailer of boating and fishing supplies with more than 230 stores located throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico. When you work at West Marine, you’re part of a family; one that values spending quality time on the water, doing the things you love, and sharing that passion with our customers and community.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an Associate Merchant in our Fort Lauderdale, FL Support Center.

The ideal candidate should...

+ Be a positive, results-driven product leader that develops the overall strategy for their product categories.

+ Have significant experience in a multi-store category management or buying environment.

+ Lead with clarity, focus and compassion.

+ Use data to determine the optimal assortment, selling price and promotional cadence appropriate to channel and category.

+ Have a “customer first” mentality and strive to create raving fans through having the right products in the right place at the right time and at the right price.

+ Be able to develop a clear marketing cadence for key products and will deliver on financial results.

+ Have the required collaborative and cross-functional capabilities to lead strategies from conception through execution.

+ Have a considerable track record of building industry-leading vendor partnerships that result in innovative assortments, profitable growth and win-win outcomes for all parties.

+ Have successful negotiating experience in a fast-pace, growth industry.

Primary Responsibilities:

+ The Associate Merchant will have complete responsibility for specified portion of product assortments or sub-departments under the oversight of the CM or DMM. Will be required to manage the E2E processes necessary to achieve or exceed sales and profitability objectives for that area.

+ This position participates in the forecasting and analysis of business results, identifies key industry trends, plans product assortment and negotiates with vendors as it pertains to a particular area of the business.

+ The Associate Merchant will assist the CM/DMM with creation, implementation, and execution of product strategies that align with business objectives and financial goals.

+ This role will support the CM through a variety of tasks, including business analysis, product review, vendor management, and execution of strategy.

+ Create compelling assortments and ensure they are regionally appropriate, seasonally relevant and marine-focused.

+ Work in partnership with the Merchandise Planner and Category Manager to be accountable for achieving category KPIs including, but not limited to, sales, profit and turn.

+ Responsible for in-season management of assortment; inclusive of marketing, pricing and product presentation across all selling channels.

+ Item set up and SKU maintenance.

Education, Experience & Skills:

+ A Bachelor’s Degree in business or related field

+ 3 plus years-experience in Category Management or Merchandising in a retail buying environment

+ Excellent communicator who fosters open communication and listens. Speaks and writes effectively and with professional acumen.

+ High emotional intelligence with the ability to adapt quickly to change and act with integrity.

+ Analytical with the ability to think strategically and provide vision to the team and vendor community. Will push for innovation both in product and process.

+ Understanding and demonstrated execution of merchandising math principles

+ Proven negotiator

+ Strong presentation skills

+ Skilled conflict manager

+ Excellent vendor relationship development track record

+ PC proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Office 365, Power Point, Excel, Word

+ Relex and JDA knowledge a plus.

+ Demonstrates adaptability and acts with integrity.

+ Analytical and strategic—Ability to think strategically and provide vision to the team and vendor community. Will push for innovation both in product and process.

+ Boating knowledge or experience is highly preferred.