Assistant Merchant jobs in Chicago, IL

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,300 stores throughout the U.S. and an innovative omni-channel ecosystem, Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. Ulta Beauty is expanding its digital capabilities, opening new stores on a continual basis and re-designing existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences. We’re not just growing, we’re thriving through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to re-imagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:

The Assistant Merchant will help to bring exciting and inspirational assortments and strategies to life in partnership with the Senior Merchant or Merchant. This includes supporting merchandising sales goals through assortment, strategic event and education management, productivity assessment and trend analysis.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Merchandising Strategy: Assists in the development and execution of business area strategy to drive merchandising sales goals through assortment, strategic event and education management, productivity assessment and trend analysis. 
• Brand Partnership:  Manages brand partner relationships to help benefit Ulta Beauty through terms and negotiations, assortment and launch plans and strategy building to allow us to achieve, and exceed, our merchandising sales goals. Negotiations to include vendor terms, item costs, exclusivity, newness or exits.
• Marketing: Executes optimized 360 marketing and pricing strategy through all Ulta Beauty touchpoints, continuing to delight and surprise our guests, while working closely with the digital team. This includes collaborating with Senior Merchant or Merchant on ad offers, ad layouts and proofing, in addition to helping with sign request direction.
• Communication and Collaboration:  Partners cross-functionally to bring merchandising strategies to life with Merchandise Planning & Inventory, Merchandise Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Digital and Store Operations.
• In-Store Merchandising: Supports product assortment for brand planograms and promotional locations in store. Proofs all in-store signage for printing; signage for all marketing in promo planner. Supports planogram process after assortment is decided by working with vendors or internal partners.
• Reporting: Utilizes data to identify trends and speak to sales metrics from Merchandising systems as needed.
• This is a Hybrid role which requires the successful candidate to be in-office a min of 6 days/month and relocation assistance is not provided for this job level.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Relevant experience in buying or merchandise planning and inventory experience 
• Passion for brands, products, and the development of assortments that continue to inspire and meet the needs of our guests
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Creative problem solver with an innovative mindset
• Strong collaborator with both internal partners and external brand partners
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Strong working knowledge of Excel (v-look ups and formulas preferred)
• Ability to plan and prioritize effectively and stay organized in a fast-moving business
• Working Conditions: Some travel required.

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.