Merchant - Footwear & Accessories (3rd Party Collaborations) - Men's

Role overview

This position sits on the men’s team and owns the full product strategy for footwear and accessories. It combines a strong creative perspective with disciplined analysis to build assortments that work for the customer, both through in-house product and through selective brand partnerships.

The role works closely with Design, Planning, Marketing, Visual, and a third-party buying group to shape compelling assortments. Candidates from varied professional backgrounds are encouraged, especially those who bring curiosity, a clear point of view, and enthusiasm for product.

Pre-season responsibilities

• Study market direction and turn trends into commercial concepts, with an eye for the next important opportunity in footwear and accessories.
• Share the seasonal strategy with the cross-functional team before the season begins.
• Work with Planning to define budget direction and identify departmental opportunities.
• Review seasonal results, historical performance, trend data, assortment composition, and competitive activity to set the strategy.
• Take part in Design Board Reviews and give input on silhouettes, materials, and color choices informed by prior results and the overall strategy.
• Create the roadmap for Design, outlining monthly newness needs with AUC targets and clear guidance on carry-forward styles.
• Collaborate with the third-party buying team to identify and assess potential brand collaborations, including buying appointments, trade shows, and vendor meetings that shape the assortment plan.

In-season responsibilities

• Review and approve fit on key styles and purchase decisions to ensure execution aligns with design intent and meets acceptable commercial quality standards.
• Partner with Planning and Allocation to monitor sales, receipts, markdown timing, and style-color counts.
• Assess the competitive landscape and use insights to improve results, bringing recommendations to leadership.
• Use product strategy and business analysis to plan merchandise buys within quarterly budgets, and present the line in assortment and investment reviews.
• Interpret financial and business data, review reports, and turn findings into actionable plans that support performance.
• Work with Marketing, Styling, and Visual teams to make sure key items and major bets receive strong support and visibility.
• Handle vendor communication and purchase order placement for third-party partnerships, explaining the role of each brand within the broader assortment and the merchandising logic behind those additions.

Required qualifications

• At least 6 years of experience in merchandising or buying within men’s apparel, footwear, accessories, or fashion retail.
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to convert data into practical business actions.
• Solid understanding of retail financial measures and core buying principles.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and able to juggle several priorities at once.
• Strong fashion sense with a genuine interest in product and an eye for commercially relevant trends.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions and influence partners in design, planning, and marketing.

Preferred background

• Prior experience in men’s footwear, accessories, or third-party buying, especially with brand partnerships and collaboration strategy.
• A bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related discipline is beneficial, though not mandatory.

Additional information

This role is based in the New York City Metropolitan Area and is a full-time onsite position.

The company welcomes applicants from diverse professional backgrounds.