Product Merchant
Cupertino, California, United States
Operations and Supply Chain
Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, we are a diverse collective of thinkers and doers, continuously reimagining our products and practices to help people do what they love in new ways. That innovation is inspired by a shared commitment to great work — and to each other. Because learning from the people here means we’re learning from the best.
Apple's Worldwide Retail Merchandising team is responsible for building the global merchandising strategy and setting the foundation for in-store brand experiences aligned to Apple & Retail's priorities. The team includes professionals with backgrounds in merchandising, marketing, brand management, product development, and program management. Learning from our people here means we're learning from the best! Inclusion is a shared responsibility, and we work together to foster a culture where everyone belongs and is inspired to do their best work.
Product Merchandising partners across Apple to develop a compelling range of third party accessory products. These products enhance customers’ experience of Apple products and services in Apple Stores and Apple Online Stores around the world. We are looking for a skilled merchant who can balance multiple priorities, build partnerships across a broad, diverse assortment of teams and represent Apple in conversations with third party vendors, while demonstrating Apple’s values of inclusion and diversity in daily activities.
Key Qualifications
- 5-7 years experience in buying, merchandising or product development functions.
- Skilled partnership manager experience with the ability to develop relationships at all levels including senior management.
- Experience leading senior level relationships with external vendors and internal partners.
- Excellent collaboration skills, ability to partner with diverse technical and creative teams across the world.
- Experience presenting complex topics to senior leadership.
- Strong familiarity with Apple Ecosystems and the iOS App Store.
- Excellent time management, multi-tasking, organizational, and communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Strong data analysis skills with Excel/Numbers proficiency.
- Experience delivering against targets and managing a P&L.
Description
Responsibilities as a Product Merchant.
*Define the assortment of third party accessories for the Apple Store and Apple Online Store.
*Partner with vendors to develop products optimized for the Apple ecosystem, meeting the same exacting standards Apple holds its own products to.
*Partner with Product Marketing and Field teams to identify emerging trends and product categories which could drive growth incremental to Apple’s own assortment.
*Developing special edition, exclusive products for global and local campaigns.
*Partner with technical teams (Engineering, Developer Relations, MFI) to ensure third party products effectively elevate the experience of key Apple technologies and services.
*Drive the commercial performance of the assortment, using detailed analytics and qualitative research.
*Ownership of product lifecycle management from initial forecasting to end of life.
*Understand and share insights which can drive the performance of Apple’s own accessory products and effectively communicate opportunity to internal partners.
*Developing and growing productive internal and external relationships with key business partners including Developer Relations, Product Marketing, Industrial Design, Marcom, Engineering and Operations while contributing to an inclusive environment through respecting each other’s differences and having the curiosity to learn.
Education & Experience
*Bachelors degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
Additional Requirements
- *Passion for collaboration, teamwork and positivity in all environments.
- *Experience managing businesses across multiple complex regions a plus.
- *Project management and process improvement experience a plus.
- *Prior purchasing/merchandising experience a plus.
- *Ability to travel domestically and internationally required.