[Hiring] Associate Merchant @Comfrt

Role Description

The Associate Merchant will support the Senior Merchant in driving the commercial performance of assigned categories across Comfrt’s growing omni-channel business. This role sits at the intersection of Product, Merchandising, Planning, Finance, Marketing, eCommerce, Retail, International, and Operations, helping translate product strategy into commercially successful assortments. The Associate Merchant will be highly analytical and execution-oriented, with responsibility for supporting assortment planning, sales and inventory analysis, buy recommendations, channel allocations, SKU setup, PO readiness, and launch execution. This individual should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where priorities move quickly and decisions are grounded in both customer insight and business performance.

What You'll Do

• Assortment & Line Planning
  • Partner with the Senior Merchant and Product team to build and maintain seasonal and monthly assortment plans by category, collection, color, size, and channel.
  • Support the development of line plans that balance core business, newness, seasonal programs, and innovation.
  • Maintain accurate assortment information across product line plans and merchandising tools.
  • Ensure styles, colors, pricing, launch dates, channels, and intended product positioning are clearly documented.
  • Identify assortment gaps, duplication, and opportunities based on sales trends and customer demand.
  • Support assortment localization across eCommerce, Retail, International, Amazon, and other emerging channels.
• Buying & Inventory Management
  • Support initial buy recommendations using sales history, forecast, inventory position, launch expectations, and planned sell-through.
  • Prepare unit recommendations by style, color, size, and channel for review with the Senior Merchant, Product, Planning, and Finance.
  • Monitor inventory levels and recommend reorders, reductions, transfers, or exits based on performance.
  • Track incoming inventory against launch dates and identify potential inventory risks early.
  • Partner with Planning and Finance to understand open-to-buy, inventory investment, and financial implications of recommendations.
  • Help ensure approved buys are translated accurately into SKU and PO requests.
• Business & Sales Analysis
  • Own recurring analysis of category performance including:
    • Sales
    • Units
    • AUR
    • Sell-through
    • Inventory
    • Weeks of supply
    • Margin
    • Productivity by style/color
    • Channel performance
  • Prepare weekly selling recaps and identify key wins, misses, risks, and opportunities.
  • Analyze new product performance versus expectations and provide actionable recommendations.
  • Monitor core styles and recommend chase opportunities based on demand.
  • Support hindsight analysis to inform future assortment, pricing, color, and investment decisions.
  • Become deeply knowledgeable about the assigned categories and proactively bring recommendations—not just data—to the team.
• Commercial Strategy & Channel Execution
  • Support the Senior Merchant in determining the right assortment and inventory strategy by channel.
  • Help build assortments for U.S. eCommerce, International, Retail, and emerging channels based on customer and business needs.
  • Track channel-specific buys and ensure allocations are reflected accurately in internal systems and POs.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to identify incremental unit needs when products expand into additional channels.
  • Support pricing and promotional analysis while protecting margin and overall brand positioning.
• Go-to-Market & Launch Readiness
  • Partner with Product, Marketing, Creative, eCommerce, Planning, and Operations to ensure products are commercially ready for launch.
  • Maintain launch information including product details, pricing, inventory, channel strategy, launch timing, and merchandising priorities.
  • Support product tiering and help communicate which products require greater marketing investment.
  • Identify inventory, timing, or assortment risks that could impact launch plans.
  • Participate in GTM meetings and ensure merchandising actions and decisions are documented and completed.
  • Help ensure products are positioned appropriately on site and across channels based on inventory and commercial priorities.
• SKU & PO Readiness
  • Coordinate with Product and Buying Operations to ensure all information required for SKU creation and PO placement is complete and accurate.
  • Validate style, color, size, cost, retail, quantities, delivery windows, and channel allocations before PO handoff.
  • Track outstanding approvals and information needed to meet PO placement deadlines.
  • Maintain strong attention to detail and traceability throughout the buying process.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Build strong partnerships with Product Development, Design, Planning, Finance, Production, Sourcing, Marketing, Creative, eCommerce, Operations, Retail, and International teams.
  • Work closely with Product to understand the purpose, positioning, functionality, and customer for each product.
  • Partner with Planning to connect assortment strategy with demand forecasts and inventory requirements.
  • Partner with Finance to support financially sound inventory investments.
  • Communicate risks, changes, and opportunities early and clearly.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate and commercially balanced assortments.
• Clear, data-backed buy and reorder recommendations.
• Strong understanding of sales, inventory, margin, and customer behavior.
• Fewer gaps between approved assortments, SKU setup, and PO placement.
• Proactive identification of inventory and sales opportunities.
• Strong launch readiness and cross-functional follow-through.
• Increasing ability to independently make recommendations and influence decisions.
• Becoming a trusted business partner to Product, Planning, Finance, and the Senior Merchant.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in Buying, Merchandising, Planning, or a related retail/eCommerce function.
• Experience within apparel, accessories, home, lifestyle, or a high-growth consumer brand preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear business recommendations.
• Understanding of retail math including sales, AUR, margin, sell-through, inventory turns, weeks of supply, and forecasting.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable managing multiple categories, launches, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working remotely, with strong time management, self-discipline, and the ability to independently manage schedules and deadlines.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Curious, proactive, and willing to dig into the business rather than waiting for direction.

Nice to Have

• The ideal Associate Merchant combines commercial instinct with strong execution.
• They are naturally curious about why products are selling, where opportunities exist, and how assortment and inventory decisions can improve the business.
• They do not simply report the numbers—they use the numbers to make recommendations.
• They are comfortable taking ownership, partnering across teams, asking questions, and following decisions through from assortment planning to buy approval to PO placement to launch to hindsight.

Benefits

• Be part of a purpose-driven company that’s shaping the future of comfort and mental wellness.
• Work in a supportive, creative environment where your ideas and growth are valued.
• Enjoy Comfrt benefits such as generous paid time off, company-covered health insurance, 5% 401k match, and discounts on all Comfrt products!
• Join a passionate team making an impact on exciting projects, all while enjoying the flexibility and collaborative support of a fully remote environment.