H-1B Visa Merchandise Associate Jobs
Merchandise Associate roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as merchandising, retail management, or supply chain. Employers in large retail and consumer goods companies file LCAs with the DOL before sponsoring, and cap-subject petitions enter the annual lottery.
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Get Access To All JobsWhy You Belong Here
At Victoria’s Secret & Co, you’ll join a world-leading specialty retail brand recognized globally for innovation and excellence in lingerie and fashion. You’ll work alongside industry leaders to set the standard for what a retail brand can achieve, placing customers at the center of everything we do to create products and experiences that bring them joy.
We believe everyone deserves a place where they truly belong. We celebrate individuality and know that your passion, experience, and unique perspective strengthen our team and business. Here, you’ll be empowered to perform, grow, and engage through unmatched opportunities to develop your skills, gain real-world experience, and learn from the best in the business.
Description
Your Role:
The Director, Merchandise Planning leads planning strategy and financial performance for multiple merchandise businesses across retail and digital channels. This role partners with Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Store Operations, and Sourcing/Production to develop and execute integrated sales, margin, inventory, and assortment plans that support brand growth and financial results.
As a key business partner, the Director translates brand strategies and merchandising vision into actionable financial and inventory plans, balancing growth opportunities with risk management. This leader provides data-driven insights and recommendations based on market trends, customer behavior, historical performance, and forecasts, while driving stakeholder alignment around a consensus plan.
The Director also leads and develops a high-performing Merchandise Planning team, fostering accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and talent development.
Your Impact:
Merchandise Planning & Business Leadership
- Partner with Merchandising leadership to develop category and assortment strategies that support brand growth and financial objectives.
- Translate brand and commercialization strategies into merchandise plans, assortment architectures, and execution strategies.
- Develop, manage, and optimize sales, margin, inventory, and receipt plans across assigned businesses.
- Analyze performance, identify opportunities and risks, and recommend actions to maximize growth and profitability.
- Manage promotional and event calendars to align inventory positioning with business objectives.
- Present strategic recommendations and business analyses in executive and cross-functional forums.
- Serve as a key decision-maker and facilitator to resolve planning assumptions and build cross-functional consensus.
- Identify and communicate risks that may impact financial or operational goals.
- Partner cross-functionally to coordinate and resolve merchandise planning opportunities and challenges.
- Champion planning best practices, process excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate planning processes, systems, and tools to improve efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and open idea exchange.
- Challenge traditional thinking and promote data-driven decision-making, smart risk-taking, and continuous learning.
- Encourage knowledge sharing and adoption of leading methodologies and practices.
Talent Leadership & Team Development
- Recruit, develop, and retain top planning talent while building internal and external pipelines.
- Lead succession planning and develop future leaders.
- Provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to strengthen team effectiveness and engagement.
- Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, and accountability standards.
- Support growth through development plans, stretch assignments, mentorship, and training.
- Foster a high-performance culture aligned with organizational values and business objectives.
- Recognize achievements, celebrate successes, and build commitment to shared goals.
Click here for benefit details related to this position.
Minimum Salary: $152,300.00
Maximum Salary: $216,090.00
VS&Co provides a range of compensation for this role as shown. Your actual salary will be determined by a number of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic region, or other relevant factors.
Qualifications
Your Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Statistics, or a relevant field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, demand forecasting, or related disciplines.
- Experience in vertically integrated retail, beauty, personal care, or consumer products preferred.
- Experience supporting store and digital commerce channels preferred.
- Experience leading teams and developing high-performing talent.
- Strong understanding of retail planning, inventory management, and supply chain operations.
- Expertise in forecasting methodologies, demand planning, and statistical analysis.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence and build partnerships across functions and levels.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency with planning systems, analytical tools, and decision-support technologies.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.
Why You Belong Here
At Victoria’s Secret & Co, you’ll join a world-leading specialty retail brand recognized globally for innovation and excellence in lingerie and fashion. You’ll work alongside industry leaders to set the standard for what a retail brand can achieve, placing customers at the center of everything we do to create products and experiences that bring them joy.
We believe everyone deserves a place where they truly belong. We celebrate individuality and know that your passion, experience, and unique perspective strengthen our team and business. Here, you’ll be empowered to perform, grow, and engage through unmatched opportunities to develop your skills, gain real-world experience, and learn from the best in the business.
Description
Your Role:
The Director, Merchandise Planning leads planning strategy and financial performance for multiple merchandise businesses across retail and digital channels. This role partners with Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Store Operations, and Sourcing/Production to develop and execute integrated sales, margin, inventory, and assortment plans that support brand growth and financial results.
As a key business partner, the Director translates brand strategies and merchandising vision into actionable financial and inventory plans, balancing growth opportunities with risk management. This leader provides data-driven insights and recommendations based on market trends, customer behavior, historical performance, and forecasts, while driving stakeholder alignment around a consensus plan.
The Director also leads and develops a high-performing Merchandise Planning team, fostering accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and talent development.
Your Impact:
Merchandise Planning & Business Leadership
- Partner with Merchandising leadership to develop category and assortment strategies that support brand growth and financial objectives.
- Translate brand and commercialization strategies into merchandise plans, assortment architectures, and execution strategies.
- Develop, manage, and optimize sales, margin, inventory, and receipt plans across assigned businesses.
- Analyze performance, identify opportunities and risks, and recommend actions to maximize growth and profitability.
- Manage promotional and event calendars to align inventory positioning with business objectives.
- Present strategic recommendations and business analyses in executive and cross-functional forums.
- Serve as a key decision-maker and facilitator to resolve planning assumptions and build cross-functional consensus.
- Identify and communicate risks that may impact financial or operational goals.
- Partner cross-functionally to coordinate and resolve merchandise planning opportunities and challenges.
- Champion planning best practices, process excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate planning processes, systems, and tools to improve efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and open idea exchange.
- Challenge traditional thinking and promote data-driven decision-making, smart risk-taking, and continuous learning.
- Encourage knowledge sharing and adoption of leading methodologies and practices.
Talent Leadership & Team Development
- Recruit, develop, and retain top planning talent while building internal and external pipelines.
- Lead succession planning and develop future leaders.
- Provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to strengthen team effectiveness and engagement.
- Establish clear performance expectations, metrics, and accountability standards.
- Support growth through development plans, stretch assignments, mentorship, and training.
- Foster a high-performance culture aligned with organizational values and business objectives.
- Recognize achievements, celebrate successes, and build commitment to shared goals.
Click here for benefit details related to this position.
Minimum Salary: $152,300.00
Maximum Salary: $216,090.00
VS&Co provides a range of compensation for this role as shown. Your actual salary will be determined by a number of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic region, or other relevant factors.
Qualifications
Your Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Statistics, or a relevant field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, demand forecasting, or related disciplines.
- Experience in vertically integrated retail, beauty, personal care, or consumer products preferred.
- Experience supporting store and digital commerce channels preferred.
- Experience leading teams and developing high-performing talent.
- Strong understanding of retail planning, inventory management, and supply chain operations.
- Expertise in forecasting methodologies, demand planning, and statistical analysis.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence and build partnerships across functions and levels.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency with planning systems, analytical tools, and decision-support technologies.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.
See all 375+ H-1B Visa Merchandise Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Merchandise Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Merchandise Associate
Verify your degree field matches the role
H-1B eligibility for Merchandise Associate positions hinges on specialty occupation status. Pull the O*NET profile for your job code and confirm the employer's posting requires a specific bachelor's degree field, not just any degree.
Check employer LCA history before applying
Use Migrate Mate to filter Merchandise Associate roles by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings. This shows which retailers and consumer goods companies have actively sponsored H-1B workers in this occupation, saving you from dead-end applications.
Request the LCA before your start date
Your employer must post the certified LCA at the worksite for ten consecutive business days before filing Form I-129. Confirm this step is on their timeline so your petition isn't delayed by a compliance gap on the employer's side.
Document specialized merchandising credentials early
Gather transcripts, coursework descriptions, and any retail planning or category management certifications before interviews begin. USCIS adjudicators scrutinize whether a Merchandise Associate role genuinely requires a degree, so stronger documentation reduces your RFE risk.
Target cap-exempt employers to skip the lottery
Certain nonprofit retail research organizations and institutions of higher education are cap-exempt, meaning your I-129 can be filed any time without entering the annual April lottery. Ask recruiters directly whether the entity qualifies under USCIS cap-exempt rules.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
DOL requires your offered wage to meet the prevailing wage for your occupation and location. Run the OFLC Wage Search using the correct SOC code for Merchandise Associate before negotiating, so your offer clears the threshold and the LCA certifies without issue.
H-1B Visa Merchandise Associate: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Merchandise Associate role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires the role to normally demand a bachelor's degree in a specific field. If the job description requires a degree in merchandising, retail management, or supply chain and the duties involve planning, analysis, or buying decisions, it can qualify. Generic retail associate roles without a specific degree requirement typically don't meet the specialty occupation threshold.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Merchandise Associate positions?
Large retailers, consumer goods companies, and wholesale distributors with structured buying and planning departments are the most active sponsors for this role type. You can find employers with verified LCA filing history for Merchandise Associate positions on Migrate Mate, which filters roles by actual DOL sponsorship activity rather than employer self-reporting.
What happens to my H-1B status if I'm laid off from a Merchandise Associate job?
You have a 60-day grace period from your last day of employment to find a new sponsoring employer, transfer your H-1B, change to another visa status, or depart the U.S. Your current employer is responsible for the cost of your return transportation if they terminate the relationship before your petition period ends, per USCIS regulations.
Can my employer file H-1B premium processing for a Merchandise Associate petition?
Yes. Employers can elect premium processing by filing Form I-907 with USCIS, which guarantees a decision within 15 business days. This is common when a start date is time-sensitive or when the employer wants faster resolution on a potential RFE. The election is the employer's choice, not yours, but you can ask them to consider it during offer negotiations.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect Merchandise Associate H-1B sponsorship?
Before USCIS will certify your LCA, DOL must confirm your offered wage meets the prevailing wage for your specific occupation and geographic location. Employers use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the applicable wage level. If the offered salary falls below the prevailing wage, the LCA won't certify and the H-1B petition can't proceed, regardless of other qualifications.