About this role
About This Role The Assistant Merchant is responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, including but not limited to category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU on-boarding, and maintenance and special projects as assigned for Ace International in Panama.
The position is designed as a support role, as well as development step in all aspects of the buying department to prepare a candidate for full category responsibility as an Associate Merchant.
The Assistant Merchant:
• Executes the current year plan that has been laid out by the Merchant. • Responsible for all aspects of support for a product category. • Assists with teams’ responsibilities and projects, including category reviews, promotional planning processes, show preparation, retailer communication, SKU onboarding and maintenance, and special projects as assigned. • Expected to consider enterprise (International, Mexico and Leveraging ACE USA) impact with all decisions.
What You'll Do Category Review Support
• Support the Merchant throughout all phases of the category review process. • Request and prepare category analytics to inform decision-making. • Participate in vendor meeting preparation, item selection, planogram development, marketing, and retailer execution. • Contribute to maximizing the wholesale margin for the category. • Promotional Planning Support
• Organize and secure vendor marketing assessments. • Assist in soliciting promotional items from vendors. • Help manage promotional documentation, including item submission forms, target pricing, correction notices, and ad proofing.
Retailer Communication
• Provide daily customer service support to retailers. • Assist in communicating new programs, updates, and issue resolutions.
Convention Planning Support
• Help select and invite vendors for the semi-annual convention. • Prepare show materials, including drop ship forms and promotional SKU submissions. • Assist in planning and executing the merchant area theme for the assigned category.
Inventory/Supply Chain Support
• Assist in identifying and resolving vendor service issues. • Support inventory planning for promotional items. • Lead the processing of initial orders for new programs.
Systems Support
• Lead SKU onboarding for the department. • Manage item master data and implement price changes.
Product Development
• Assist in gathering information, test reports, and documentation for new items. • Support the creation of packaging for new products. • Collaborate with vendors and cross-functional teams on product development initiatives.
Special Projects
• Lead assigned departmental and cross-functional projects. • Manage category refreshes (L1) under the guidance of the International Merchant.
Who You Are
• Demonstrates a strong passion for products and curiosity about the retail marketplace, actively applying this interest in daily work. • Applies advanced business acumen and strategic thinking to draw insights from data and guide category growth. • Builds and leverages internal and external networks—including vendors, retailers, and cross-functional teams—to influence outcomes and improve processes. • Maintains a results-oriented mindset, taking full accountability and adjusting strategies as business conditions evolve. • Communicates clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, with the ability to present strategies and updates to leadership, vendors, and retailers. • Analyzes issues and proposes practical solutions, demonstrating strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. • Takes appropriate risks and follows through on initiatives with creativity, flexibility, and adaptability. • Manages multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality output. • Demonstrates strong negotiation skills and the ability to simplify complex tasks and processes.
Required Skills
• Holds a Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Merchandising or Business) or has equivalent work experience. • Has a minimum of 2 years of retail buying experience. • Bilingual in English and Spanish. • Possesses strong interpersonal skills and corporate financial acumen. • Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. • Experienced with SAP, SAP B1, and guided ad-hoc reporting tools. • Willing and able to travel up to 15%.
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