Title: Senior Merchandiser (Discounters)
Location: Montreal, QC
Salary: open for right profile
Salary is an estimated range provided by JPSearch and commensurate with experience
Responsibilities:
Business Growth & Strategy
- Identify white space opportunities through market analysis, competitive shopping, and trend research.
- Develop product strategies aligned with customer needs, price architecture, and margin goals.
- Drive growth by aligning design direction with business objectives and account opportunities.
Trend & Market Leadership
- Conduct ongoing trend research and competitive analysis to inform product direction.
- Translate seasonal trends into commercially relevant assortments tailored to off-price retail.
- Develop cohesive seasonal concepts, including color direction, key silhouettes, and fabrications.
Design & Technical Execution
- Create original designs for ladies’ tops and dresses, balancing fashion, cost, and customer requirements.
- Ensure all sketches and design packages are accurate and production-ready for overseas vendors.
- Maintain strong attention to garment construction, fit, and finishing details throughout development.
Merchandising & Sales Support
- Support sales presentations with compelling, trend-right product that meets customer expectations.
- Identify and react to chase opportunities, adapting designs to emerging trends and in-season demand.
- Partner with sales to ensure alignment between product direction and account needs.
Product Development Responsibilities
- Own the product development process from concept through production.
- Meet all deadlines for monthly product meetings and customer presentations.
- Develop seasonal color stories aligned with trend direction and customer expectations.
- Select appropriate fabrics, silhouettes, and trims based on customer, cost targets, and seasonality.
- Develop Print direction
- Ensure strict adherence to development calendars and timelines.
- Maintain detailed oversight of fit, construction, and overall product quality.
- Communicate directly with overseas vendors to ensure clarity on design intent, technical details, and timelines.
- Manage SKU counts in line with seasonal and account requirements.
- Collaborate closely with Product Development, Graphic Design, and Technical Design teams to ensure seamless execution.
- Stay highly organized and detail-oriented while managing multiple categories and deadlines.
Qualifications & Skills
- Proven experience in fashion design and product development within off-price/discounter divisions.
- Strong understanding of off-price retailers is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to identify trends, analyze white space, and develop commercially successful assortments.
- Strong knowledge of garment construction, fit, and technical development processes.
- Deep understanding of the full product lifecycle from concept to production.
- Ability to balance creativity with commercial viability and cost constraints.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams and international vendors.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Flexibility to travel for market research, shopping, and account support