Merchandiser Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Merchandising Assistant - Luxury Jewelry Retail
Department: Jewelry Merchandising
Reports To: Vice President, Jewelry Merchandising
Classification: Full-Time | Non-Exempt
Location: Bala Cynwyd, Cherry Creek or Pikesville
About The 1916 Company:
The 1916 Company is a premier luxury watch and fine jewelry retailer with showrooms and boutiques across the US, Collector's Lounges in major domestic and international markets, and four international offices - with 25 locations in total. We are committed to delivering exceptional client experiences and building teams of extraordinary individuals who share our passion for excellence and the world's finest timepieces and jewelry.
Position Summary:
The Merchandising Assistant supports the merchandising team in the planning, execution, and analysis of product assortments across the jewelry and bridal departments. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate product data, supporting inventory management, coordinating product launches, and ensuring merchandising strategies align with brand standards, sales objectives, and client demand.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, detail-oriented, has strong interpersonal skills, and is passionate about luxury retail and exceptional client experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Merchandising & Product Management
• Assist with maintaining product assortments across retail and e-commerce channels.
• Support merchandise planning activities, including purchase order management, product allocation, replenishment, and inventory optimization. Responsibilities include:
o Entering and reviewing core inventory reorder points.
o Creating stock replenishment purchase orders.
o Item master creation and attribute enrichment.
o Sourcing images for new products.
o Submitting approved purchase orders to vendors and brand partners.
• Respond to product inquiries from sales associates and assist with placing special orders.
• Maintain accurate product information, including pricing, descriptions, images, attributes, and margin / price updates within merchandising systems.
• Monitor product performance and identify opportunities to improve assortment productivity, including stock balancing and Return To Vendor execution.
Inventory & Reporting
• Generate and maintain sales and inventory reports.
• Track key performance indicators, including sell-through rates, days to sell, and inventory levels by location.
• Assist with stock balancing and replenishment recommendations.
• Partner with store operations and inventory teams to resolve stock discrepancies, transfer requests, and product attribute updates.
Vendor & Product Coordination
• Communicate with vendors and brand partners regarding product availability, delivery timelines, and assortment updates.
• Track purchase orders and monitor incoming shipments to ensure timely receipt of merchandise.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with marketing, visual merchandising, retail operations, and e-commerce teams to support promotions and product launches.
• Provide merchandising support for events, trunk shows, and clienteling initiatives.
• Ensure all merchandising activities align with the brand's luxury positioning and standards.
Administrative Support
• Maintain merchandising calendars, reports, and product databases.
• Prepare presentations, assortment reviews, and business recaps for leadership meetings, as needed.
• Support special projects and ad hoc analyses assigned.
Qualifications
Required
• Business, Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, Retail Management, Marketing, or a related field. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in merchandising, buying, retail planning, luxury retail, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Preferred
• Experience in luxury retail, jewelry, watches, fashion, or premium consumer goods.
• Familiarity with merchandise planning, inventory management, and retail reporting systems.
• Experience working with ERP, POS, and e-commerce platforms.
• Knowledge of fine jewelry categories, gemstones, and luxury consumer trends.
Key Competencies
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Inventory and assortment management
• Time management and prioritization
• Collaboration and relationship building
• Adaptability in a fast-paced retail environment
• Passion for luxury products and client service
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
Work Environment
• In-person, shared office environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic retail setting.
Reporting Relationship
Reports to the VP of Jewelry Merchandising, with day-to-day responsibilities assigned by the Jewelry Buyers.