Associate Merchant, Strategic Sales- Fixed Term Contract Until February 2027

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we’re in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

Workplace arrangement

This role is classified as hybrid under our SSC Workplace Policy (see SSC Workplace Program youlu page for an overview):

Hybrid

In-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.

Who we are

lululemon is a yoga-inspired technical apparel company up to big things. The practice and philosophy of yoga informs our overall purpose to elevate the world through the power of practice. We are proud to be a growing global company with locations all around the world, from Vancouver to Shanghai, and places in between. We owe our success to our innovative product, our emphasis on our stores, our commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we get to make in every community we are in.

About this team:

The Merchandising team creates and executes transformative global product strategies that ensure we have the right assortment in the right place at the right time to fulfill our guests’ unmet needs to deepen our guest relationships, grow our brand and deliver on our long-term enterprise goals. We possess deep awareness and intuition of global marketplace dynamics and regional guest needs and use this knowledge to identify opportunities to maximize guest demand.

A day in the life:

The Associate Merchant Strategic Sales is responsible for delivering program-specific insights to the Global Merchandising team to inform product strategies. This is inclusive of account manager/ partner feedback, channel goals, industry tends/ insights. With guidance and collaboration from the Merchant and or Manager, the Associate Merchant builds out and manages their strategies and assortment plan for a program or categories of a larger program. They are an analytical thinker who, in collaboration with the Merchant and or Manager, can balance foresight, insight and hindsight to draw critical business conclusions. They work closely with Merchants, Merch Manager and cross-functional partners throughout the product lifecycle for in-season execution and management of their program through weekly business analysis, corresponding actions, open-to-buy and product exit. They are also responsible for accurate data entry and maintenance of the assortment they manage. This person is on the career growth path to be developed into a Merchant.

• Share Channel/ Program insights (guest, products, market trends) with Global Merchandising, informing product strategies and program style needs
• In collaboration with the Manager, develop Program merchandising strategies for the season (department and class) across all activities
• With guidance from their Manager and Senior Merchant, create product assortment that reflects brand consistency and program relevance, maximizing profitability and sales across product categories and key items
• With guidance from their Manager and Senior Merchant, manage assortment and clustering, ensuring delivery against country targets and account profiles
• Supporting with the creation of product look books for the individual programs
• Prepare and present decks for Buy Reviews (incl. strategies, attributing, investments, etc.)
• Collaborate with Planning to execute seasonal program buys against strategic sales channel’s product and financial goals
• Collaborate with team in preparing decks for Buy Reviews (incl. strategies, attributing, investments, flow, etc.)
• Validate buy accuracy, and with support from Manager and Merchant resolve MOQ issues, partnering with Global teams to ensure Buy Ready issues are solved
• Complete sizing tasks, and populating the buy upload tool
• Throughout each buy cycle partner with Strategic Sales Program/ Account Managers to inform and execute against initiatives and program strategies.
• Prior to and in season, with guidance from Manager and Senior Merchant identify changes to targeted in-store date and recommend options to maximize seasonal product flow
• Support in OTB conversations and align with Planning on Class targets on key actions
• Review business each week/month/season, delivering recaps and actions based on insights and inventory composition
• Assist with pre-buys (presentations, order forms, buy roll-ups)
• Responsible for maintaining accurate data entry and integrity of the styles they manage

Qualifications:

• BA, BSc, BBA, BComm (or equivalent), specialization in Retail or Merchandising Management an asset
• Minimum two years of Merchandising or Regional Buying experience preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Program and mastery in excel, preferred experience in PO and Price Management software
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret multiple data points across numerous channels and market segments
• Strong understanding of retail mathematics and open to buy
• Ability to balance analytical and creative tasks
• Strong understanding of season-to-season business performance
• Preliminary understanding of business drivers based on key financial indicators, in order to make recommendations to maximize business opportunities, with guidance from Manager and Senior Team Members
• Acute eye for product and colour trends
• Aware of macro lifestyle and fashion trends and how this relates to the active and wellness industry
• Ability to enroll, lead and influence key cross functional partners
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and demonstrative ability to present to peers and leaders
• Ability to accurately and efficiently manage data entry and highly organized with a keen eye for detail
• Ability to multitask and operate in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel (domestic and international) and work on the retail floor

Must haves:

• Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results.
• Communicates with honesty and kindness and creates the space for others to do the same.
• Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
• Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
• Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

Additional Notes

Authorization to work in Canada s required for this role.

Compensation and Benefits Package

lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $66,000-$86,600 annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program , subject to program eligibility requirements.

At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

• Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
• Paid time off
• Savings and retirement plan matching
• Generous employee discount
• Fitness & yoga classes
• Parenthood top-up
• Extensive catalog of development course offerings
• People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. lululemon reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

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