Merchandising Strategy and Insights

Brick Executive Search has been exclusively retained to search for a critical role of Head of Merchandise Strategy and Insights for a women's, lifestyle retailer who is experiencing truly extraordinary growth . Merchandising Strategy & InsightsLocation: Chicago, IL Reports To: VP of Planning, Inventory, and Merchandising StrategyRole OverviewThe Merchandising Strategy & Insights role is the connective tissue between analytics, strategy, and execution - translating insight into action that fuels sustainable growth. This leader will partner across Planning, Buying, and Marketing to define the brand's merchandising roadmap, optimize assortments, and orchestrate cross-functional alignment that brings strategy to life in every phase of the merchandising calendar.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Merchandising Insights: Analyze category, product, and channel performance to identify trends and opportunities; translate findings into clear, actionable strategies for merchandising and assortment planning.Assortment Optimization: Guide the creation and evolution of line architecture-balancing innovation, productivity, and customer demand through data-informed decision-making.Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead and inspire cross-functional teams - including Planning, Buying, Marketing, and Store Operations - to deliver cohesive merchandising strategies that drive growth and margin expansion.Merchandising Calendar Leadership: Steer merchants through critical milestones in the merchandising cycle—bridging long-range strategy, in-season tactical pivots, and post-season hindsight to continuously elevate performance.Performance Reporting: Build and manage reporting frameworks and dashboards that turn complex data into simple, actionable insights.Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Champion pilot initiatives, process enhancements, and analytical tools that modernize how the company plans, buys, and measures success.Executive Communication: Craft compelling narratives and visual presentations that articulate performance, insights, and strategic opportunities to senior leadership.QualificationsExperience & Expertise: 4–7 years in merchandising strategy, planning, or analytics - ideally within retail, fashion, or consumer goods.Strategic & Analytical Acumen: Exceptional ability to connect the dots between numbers and narrative; uses insight to inform both big-picture strategy and tactical execution.Leadership & Influence: Skilled at leading through collaboration and influence; able to align diverse teams toward common goals and elevate decision-making across the organization.Process & Organization: Adept at structuring complex workstreams, managing milestones, and driving disciplined execution across the merchandising calendar.Communication & Visualization: Strong presentation skills, including the ability to build PowerPoint decks that translate complex analysis into clear, visually compelling narratives.Mindset: Curious, agile, and motivated by pace and creativity - someone who thrives at the intersection of art and science in retail.