FUNCTION
Develop, communicate and drive seasonal merchandise strategies for the business category. Meet or exceed financial goals for categories of responsibility. Partner with Design, Product Development, MP&A, Visual, Marketing and Sales to develop and execute a compelling line that meets or exceeds business and customer needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: Other duties may be assigned)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Vera Bradley customer and lifestyle attributes through decision making that supports the business trend and participating in cross-functional and departmental meeting communications.
• Plan annual and seasonal product strategies.  Propose 2-5 year category strategies for areas of responsibility.
• Partner with Merchandising Manager and MP&A to develop and deliver seasonal category business plans that meet or exceed revenue and margin goals while maintaining an elevated Vera Bradley aesthetic
• Collaborate with other POD members to deliver accurate and comprehensive weekly, monthly and seasonal analyses of business and ensure future assortments are planned strategically and holistically to maximize opportunities
• With Manager’s leadership, manage multiple categories within a Merchandising POD comprising approximately 60% of the SKU count within Manager’s area of responsibility
• Identify product-driven business opportunities and risks in-season.  Provide timely direction to business partners, reacting quickly to

customer and business trends.

• Complete best seller analysis and lead presentation of hindsight meetings
• Deliver compelling seasonal category line plan (SKUs by style/fabric/color) by channel that deliver margin goals and revenue targets—both direct and indirect.
• Make recommendations on life cycle of products in categories of responsibility.
• Present assortment proposals to sales teams
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of FLEX and marketing products used for selling:  Sourcebook, key Account book, catalogs, etc.
• Determine product tests needed, coordinate item development, objectives guidelines, locations, and timing.
• Competitive expert:  Regularly shops and understands the competition and our own consumers to line plan at the appropriate MSRP and wholesale price.
• Market expert:  Trend shops regularly to ensure our future assortments reflect the most current trends
• Anticipate future product needs:  collaborate with Design to deliver Innovation Pipeline.
• Partner with Visual Merchandising and Marketing to compete visual walk-throughs that support financial goals and ensure that key ideas of the season and communicated consistently across channels.
• Partner with Planning team to validate seasonal and promotional buys.
• Provide mentoring, training, and development of merchant team.
• Assist in talent recruitment, performance evaluation, promotion and retention activities.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in business, retail management, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience required.
• 4+ years merchant, assortment planning or related experience required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate with all levels across the organization.
• Collaborative, while able to influence and persuade. 
• Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain good rapport with both internal and external customers to handle situations with confidence and tact
• Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, and concurrently manage multiple projects.
• Flexible, adaptable with the demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment
• Ability to make decisions within guidelines impacting a range of standard and non-standard matters
• Able to solve complex problems with the ability to take a new perspective on existing solutions
• Ability to apply  best practices and industry knowledge to improve products or processes
• High level of analytical thinking and attention to detail with strong aptitude in retail math

• Supports talent and workforce planning strategies that align with business goals.
• Ability to guide others through training and development feedback
  • Excellent PC skills including Word and Power Point, advanced Excel

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment. Utilizing an office desk – sitting, reading, listening, or speaking with the ability to move intermittently throughout the day
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones

Occasional travel (25%)

We are proud of the competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefit package provided to our associates and their families. Our compensation package is designed to meet our associates today and help them plan for the future.

Health Benefits

VRA offers a variety of medical, dental and vision programs to meet your family’s health care needs.

• Medical plan options including both a HDHP/HSA plan and a PPO plan
• A no premium medical plan for employee only coverage
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible spending accounts

Survivor Benefits

Life insurance provides peace of mind for your family should the unexpected happen.

• Employer provided 2X your salary in life insurance
• Accidental Death and Disability insurance
• Voluntary life insurance for you, your spouse and your children

Income Protection  

If you are unable to work due to illness or injury VRA provides several programs to protect your income at no cost to you.

• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Paid family medical leave

Retirement Plan

The VRA 401k plan helps you accumulate savings for retirement

• 401k with generous company match, immediate vesting (age and service requirement)
• Strong line up of professionally managed funds
• Safe-harbor plan design

Paid Time Off  

Enjoy generous time off programs.

• Earn up to 3 weeks of paid time off in your first year of employment with opportunity to earn more
• 9 paid holidays a year
• Paid bereavement leave

Give Back Opportunities  

VRA offers the opportunity to serve your community.

•        Voluntary Time Off
•        Matching charitable donations and leadership grants

Holistic Wellness

• Access to a variety of financial, physical, and mental wellness experts

• Employee Assistance Program with access to work/life wellness support including no cost unlimited telephonic counseling services 
• Opportunities for leadership development, skill development and career advancement 

Product Discount

• Generous employee discount on Vera Bradley and Pura Vida products 

Ancillary Benefits and Programs

• Bonus opportunity, identity protection, legal services, pet insurance, cell phone discount, employee referral bonus, annual birthday gift, DailyPay, corporate fitness facility and individual policies through Aflac

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

Vera Bradley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. 

Vera Bradley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

For more information, please click the following links:

Vera Bradley's Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in English)

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (in Spanish)

Pay Transparency (in English)

Pay Transparency (in Spanish)

E-Verify Participation Poster

Right to Work Poster (English)

Right to Work Poster (Spanish)

California Privacy Notice

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment application process, please send an e-mail to applicationassistance@VeraBradley.com.  Please include the accommodation you are requesting and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation and other EEO/Affirmative Action issues will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Our intention is to fill this opening within 30 days of the original posting date and applications will be accepted on an on-going basis until the position is filled.