Merchant

Position Overview The Merchant is responsible for developing and executing category-level strategies that support the broader department and brand objectives. This role manages the day-to-day performance of the category, translating department direction into strong assortments that drive sales and profitability. Responsibilities include analyzing market trends, building and managing assortments, optimizing pricing and promotions, and partnering closely with cross-functional teams to deliver against financial and product goals. The Merchant ensures the category meets or exceeds sales and profit targets while contributing insights that inform broader merchandising strategies. The role requires strong market awareness, analytical skills, and effective cross-functional collaboration. Position Details Work Environment: At Duluth Trading Company, we value face-to-face interactions that foster our culture of learning, creativity, and teamwork. The role is based at our headquarters near Madison, WI. You will work in the office Monday through Thursday, with the option to work from home on Fridays if you prefer. What You’ll Do:  Accountable for profitable sales and healthy business metrics Directly responsible for the selection of merchandise and assortment planning, by channel Drive color counts, color rank, sales, and assortment recommendations, by channel Collaborate with the Senior Merchant on the season’s strategy and buy of the assortment, owning color counts, color rank, sales, and assortment recommendations Analyze business performance on a weekly basis, presenting results to leadership and cross-functional partners Ensure assortment and sales plan aligns with merchandising strategies and will achieve planned category growth Set up and maintain assortment planning tools, including styles, colors, and product flow Responsible for catalog proofing and catalog merchandising for own category Act as key partner in milestone meetings, supporting category initiatives and presenting on business Accountable for full understanding and support of planning and inventory strategy Always have clear understanding of the competition and drive decisions to fill assortment white space Present in quarterly hindsighting of business, clearly articulating what worked vs. what didn’t and growth opportunities Partner with planning on reviewing future season sales plans, as well as future season planning Drive pre-season road mapping, strategy and business needs Review and align to planning’s in season suggestions at read and react, OTB meetings Review and align to planning’s buy strategy suggestions Partner with design team to evolve proven products and introduce new ideas to drive a new customer Initiate and perform additional ad hoc analytical assignments as required Initiate pre-season sales projections Responsible for determining competitors that relate to your category of business for your team Knowledge of an ability to load systems when support is needed Be accountable for team category-level roll up documentation Manage cost updates, MSRP, markdown information, assortment add/drops Understand and articulate reasons for IMU shifts, complying to SOX standards Provide category markdown recommendations and manage weekly documentation in systems, complying to SOX standards Approve final costing and IMU for categories of ownership Steer markdown recommendations from team, adjusting where necessary Lead, motivate, and develop a direct report Manage 1-2 direct reports and focus on building leadership and management skills Lead collaborative cross-functional partnerships Understand and be curious about the customer Schedule meetings and follow up for the team Bring and prepare appropriate documents for prep and milestone meetings Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals. Adopt organization’s values in personal work behaviors, decision making, contributions and interpersonal interactions. Contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating cultural expectations and influencing others to reward performance What We’re Looking For: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Merchandising, Business, or related field Equivalent work experience will be considered   5+ years of experience 1+ years of Management experience Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office & Google Workspace Clear understanding of the competition and drive decisions to fill assortment white space Ability to articulate current state of the business, as well as future season planning Ability to present to Senior, VP, and Executive level management Excellent attention to detail and accuracy across all business-critical data Strong presentation, interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to effectively time manage high workload Passion and eye for product Experience leading an omnichannel retail level Assortment Planning program Proven ability to work cross-functionally with multiple business units Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.  Leadership Competencies: Leading Self:       Leading Others: Inspiring Trust Adaptability Mature Confidence Career and Self Development Driving Execution Building Organizational Relationships Empowering Others Fostering Open Dialogue Attracting & Developing Talent Leadership Versatility Physical Environment & Travel Expectations: Sitting is required for 90% of working hours. Standing is required for 10% of working hours. Continuous arm, hand, and wrist movement (ie: typing) Occasional reaching, twisting, and bending. Noise level no greater than casual conversation. Ability to perform work in cubicle workstations or an office setting. Work in temperatures ranging from 65 - 75 degrees. Light domestic travel, to tradeshows, store and competitive visits Duluth Headquar