At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising efforts to create an amazing shopping experience for guests.
- Company: Join Aerie, a fast-growing lifestyle brand celebrating body positivity and real beauty.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40% off products, career development opportunities, and fun store contests.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a vibrant work culture await you!
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values your individuality and creativity.
- Qualifications: Retail experience, strong organisational skills, and a passion for Aerie products.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
As the Merchandise Leader, you are the Merchandising Team Leader's right hand in ensuring your store is always rocking AEO Brand Visual Standards. Your expertise lies in executing effective Floorsets, marketing and merchandising updates; plus, you ensure the store is always "guest ready" through effective replenishment. You have a keen attention to detail, you are passionate about visual standards, and you love working with your team to #getthejobdone. Most importantly, you represent our company values and bring your REAL self to work every day.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- You have a passion for merchandising: You support driving an outstanding guest experience in partnership with the Merchandising Team Leader by ensuring your store is always representative of AEO Brand Standards.
- Floorsets are your "thing": You drive killer Floorset execution by training and coaching the Floorset team, setting clear productivity goals, and ensuring all areas of the store are effectively executed to Floorset standards - from uppers and bustforms to tables and wardrobers.
- You're a merchandising innovator: You ensure your store stays in tip-top shape by owning day to day merchandising, sell-through adjustments and replenishment. You have a keen eye for merchandising opportunities and are always ready to game plan with leadership and take action!
- You have a "teamwork" mentality: You support the Merchandising Team Leader in ensuring the team understands how to maintain AEO Brand Standards through merchandising, adjustments and replenishment so your store is always looking fresh!
- You're a people person: You ensure the merchandising team's #1 priority is always the guest experience. You make it a priority to champion a culture of recognition and you love to celebrate wins with the team!
- Integrity is your middle name: You ensure store safety standards are maintained on the Salesfloor and in the Stockroom. You're committed to shrink-reducing strategies and you always adhere to AEO policies and procedures.
YOU'D BE GREAT FOR THIS ROLE IF
- You love AE and Aerie products!
- You love organization and have attention to detail; priority-setting and time management are your strong suits.
- You have flexible availability - you're there to get product moving early in the morning, late in the evening and on the weekends.
- You have strong retail merchandising and visual skills and you have a history of retail work - practice makes perfect.
OUR ASSOCIATES LOVE AEO BECAUSE
- They work with REAL people - there's nothing like your AEOFamily.
- They're given opportunities for development, the chance to learn new skills, and are offered great potential for career advancement.
- They receive 40% off product at both AE & Aerie year-round (plus additional seasonal discounts with new Floorsets!)
- They participate in store contests for the chance to win FREE merchandise and other exclusive prizes.
About Us: Built on a platform of power, positivity and no photo retouching - inspiring people to love their real selves. Aerie is a fast-growing lifestyle brand offering intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections. With the AerieREAL movement, we celebrate our community by advocating for body positivity and the empowerment of all women. As part of our Real Good promise, we create swimsuits, bras, and underwear with materials made from recycled polyester, recycled nylon fabric or sustainably sourced cotton.
AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of the individual's race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to all AEO activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law.
PAY/BENEFITS INFORMATION
Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location. Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may be eligible to receive paid sick leave and AEO may provide REAL rewards at its discretion. Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.
Aerie - Merchandise Leader employer: American Eagle Outfitters
At Aerie, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where every associate is valued as part of the AEOFamily. As a Merchandise Leader, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including a generous employee discount, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive environment that champions teamwork and recognition. Located at the Indiana Premium Outlets, you’ll be part of a fast-growing brand that celebrates body positivity and empowers individuals to embrace their real selves.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aerie - Merchandise Leader
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like American Eagle Outfitters, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like American Eagle Outfitters!
We think you need these skills to ace Aerie - Merchandise Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at American Eagle Outfitters, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at American Eagle Outfitters and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show American Eagle Outfitters that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at American Eagle Outfitters
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
