Brand Merchandising Analyst – Retail Planning & Merchandising

Role Overview

We are seeking a Brand Merchandising Analyst to join a vibrant Equipment & Accessories merchandising team based in Portland, OR, supporting the North American market. This is a contract position lasting over 4 months, ideal for merchandising professionals who thrive on converting retail data into actionable insights that guide assortment and buying choices.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze merchandising and retail data to assist purchasing and assortment strategies.
• Collaborate with merchandising teams to improve inventory management, seasonal buying, and product performance.
• Explore extensive datasets using Excel to discover trends and uncover business opportunities.
• Track key retail performance indicators such as stock-to-sales ratios, seasonal returns, inventory effectiveness, and other merchandising metrics.
• Partner with cross-departmental teams to support merchandising plans and drive business expansion.
• Offer insights based on consumer behavior, retail trends, and market performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, Merchandise Operations, Fashion, or related disciplines.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in retail merchandising, purchasing, or merchandise planning.
• Proven analytical capabilities handling large data volumes.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Comprehensive understanding of retail mathematics including stock-to-sales ratios, seasonal returns, inventory planning, and key retail KPIs.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Experience and Attributes

• Background in retail sectors like consumer products, footwear, apparel, or sporting goods.
• Passion for sports, athletes, and consumer market trends.
• Interest in evolving fashion and retail industry dynamics.
• Ability to leverage consumer insights to identify business growth opportunities.
• Experience with merchandising planning software such as Just Enough is advantageous.

Desired Personal Traits

• Data-driven decision-making approach.
• Strong commercial and retail insight.
• Attention to detail coupled with excellent problem-solving skills.
• A team collaborator who values cooperative work.
• Motivated by creating consumer-centric merchandising strategies.