Leadership Development Program - Merchandising (2023 Grads)

Company Description

Job Description 

 Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a portfolio of lifestyle brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, and Social Tourist. Reaching customers across 120+ countries, we strive to create customer-centric, omni-channel experiences for our global customer base.

How do we do it? Every day, our associates show up and empower one another to stay curious and think big. As a team of relentless innovators, we aren’t afraid to dream boldly. We are accountable and aim to the highest caliber to understand, push boundaries, and embrace change. We coach, mentor, care, and bring our best selves every day because we are in this together. Whether you lead yourself, a team, or the company, everyone is a leader at A&F. 

Merchants are the leaders of the business, managing the strategy for millions of dollars of product each day. Entrepreneurial in nature, Merchants lead a cross-functional team to maximize the financial success of their product line and must possess the unique ability to be both analytical and creative on a daily basis. Merchants are the experts on our customer, understanding their lifestyle, behaviors, and preferences to predict and capitalize on market trends. From working with our designers to identify the next styles and trends for our stores, to analyzing sales and identifying growth strategies for the business, our Merchants are involved with every aspect of the product and the customer.

This job is located at our Global Home Office in Columbus, Ohio. 

What Will You Be Doing?

• Analyzing the customer through market, field and relevant social research to inform business & assortment actions
• Driving the financial success and profitability of your product category
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop business strategies and react to change while making calculated decisions based on current sales information
• Dissecting the competitive landscape and identifying emerging trends in the global market to deliver product that is aligned with the customer and market perspective
• Developing the assortment architecture for your given category while managing multiple product seasons
• Providing comprehensive support of the product development process from sketch to finished product
• Presenting the product line and strategies to senior leadership, leading and contributing to selling analysis, customer insights, and trend ideas

What Do You Need To Bring?

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Passion for the A&F brands, customer and the role
• Proven leadership experience
• Ability to thrive in team-based settings and a collaborative approach to working with cross-functional partners
• Desire to take on the responsibility of running a portion of a multi-billion-dollar business
• Capability to translate emerging fashion trends into the A&F handwriting and brand heritage
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate confidently with senior-level leaders
• Ability to balance between robust analytical capability and an interest in the creative process
• Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced environment
• Desire & curiosity to learn more!

To be eligible for consideration, students must also submit their unofficial transcripts and resumes, complete with cumulative GPA.

Based out of our world headquarters in Columbus, OH the A&F LDP Programs are highly competitive initiatives that offer immediate exposure to senior level management, as well as a carefully crafted balance between classroom sessions and hands-on experience. With a “promote from within” mentality in mind, these programs have been designed to shape top candidates into the future leaders of our company. The Merchandising LDP Program features an initial comprehensive training program up to five weeks long and continued career development through a custom curriculum.

This comprehensive orientation program will include:

• Combination of classroom sessions and on-the-job training
• Relationship with a Mentor to guide learning in the new role
• Interactive presentations from a variety of senior leaders in the company
• Open and inclusive learning environment with fellow associates
• Integrated social activities to help transition to Columbus and the unique corporate culture at A&F
• Preparation to effectively manage a portion of the business in one of our critical areas at Home Office

First year compensation for the A&F Leadership Development Program in Merchandising starts at $62,500. Other benefits include $8,000 in placement and relocation bonuses, merchandise discounts at all of our brands, use of the A&F gy