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 JobsROLE SUMMARY:
Urban Outfitters is seeking an Associate Merchandise Planner responsible for maximizing sales by developing merchandise plans that support company goals for sales, turn, and margin. Ensure the financial success of one or more departments by meeting or exceeding targets for sales, gross margin, and inventory turn. Analyze business trends and revise merchandise planning strategies based on current trends and actual performance on a monthly basis.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage inventory levels needed to support the rate of sale taking into account sell-through percent, WOS, and planned product life span.
- Maximize sales by developing sound merchandise plans that support Company goals for sales, turn and margin.
- Manage to category IMU budgets in collaboration with buying teams.
- Choice Counts and Markdown Projection and Ownership to target.
- Execute topline financial metrics in 09 OTB that accurately represent above responsibilities.
- Analyze and revise the merchandise planning strategy based on current trend or actual performance on a monthly basis. Communicate these findings to senior leadership during Monthly OTB meetings.
- Work in synergy with Buyer and Allocation Analyst toward common goals for the merchandise area. Look to Senior Planner / Planning Manager for guidance on all areas of responsibility.
- Architect pre-season topline investment guidelines in conjunction with cc tier and AUR plans.
- Own ladder plans of key investments styles based on the inventory need to support rate of sale, store presentation, targeted sell-through percent, and the current risk parameters and historical trends (long range goal).
- Develop style-level plans based on current forecast, historic trend and test information. Dependent on product category, this could include defining sales and inventory plans for each style for all given months/channels of the life of that item.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expert command of retail math concepts and applications
- Strong statistical analysis skills
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent organizational, prioritizing and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work well within a team environment
- Technical skill proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion, Business, or a related field.
THE PERKS:
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more!
EEO STATEMENT:
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.
ROLE SUMMARY:
Urban Outfitters is seeking an Associate Merchandise Planner responsible for maximizing sales by developing merchandise plans that support company goals for sales, turn, and margin. Ensure the financial success of one or more departments by meeting or exceeding targets for sales, gross margin, and inventory turn. Analyze business trends and revise merchandise planning strategies based on current trends and actual performance on a monthly basis.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage inventory levels needed to support the rate of sale taking into account sell-through percent, WOS, and planned product life span.
- Maximize sales by developing sound merchandise plans that support Company goals for sales, turn and margin.
- Manage to category IMU budgets in collaboration with buying teams.
- Choice Counts and Markdown Projection and Ownership to target.
- Execute topline financial metrics in 09 OTB that accurately represent above responsibilities.
- Analyze and revise the merchandise planning strategy based on current trend or actual performance on a monthly basis. Communicate these findings to senior leadership during Monthly OTB meetings.
- Work in synergy with Buyer and Allocation Analyst toward common goals for the merchandise area. Look to Senior Planner / Planning Manager for guidance on all areas of responsibility.
- Architect pre-season topline investment guidelines in conjunction with cc tier and AUR plans.
- Own ladder plans of key investments styles based on the inventory need to support rate of sale, store presentation, targeted sell-through percent, and the current risk parameters and historical trends (long range goal).
- Develop style-level plans based on current forecast, historic trend and test information. Dependent on product category, this could include defining sales and inventory plans for each style for all given months/channels of the life of that item.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expert command of retail math concepts and applications
- Strong statistical analysis skills
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent organizational, prioritizing and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work well within a team environment
- Technical skill proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion, Business, or a related field.
THE PERKS:
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more!
EEO STATEMENT:
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.
See all 185+ H-1B Visa Merchandise Associate Jobs
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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.