DVP-Merchandise Manager
DVP-Merchandise Manager
This position is responsible for developing a comprehensive merchandise plan for assigned products that supports the company’s sales and financial objectives. Implement this plan through effective assortment planning and execution, successful promotion planning, strong vendor relationships and effective leadership of merchandise staff. Supports the achievement of the Merchandise department’s strategy and business goals. This position works very closely with internal partners in Store Operations, Planning, Distribution and Marketing to support the company’s strategies. The DVP, Merchandise Manager must have highly-developed relationship building skills to build and maintain effective relationships with external merchandise vendors to achieve merchandising strategies.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Participate in the development of all merchandising strategies, policies, standards and procedures that support the corporate strategy.
- Direct assortment and category planning for merchandise categories to achieve merchandise, sales and profit objectives.
- Review and analyze critical performance indicators to meet financial objectives and take action as necessary.
- Manage the promotion planning process and ensure the financial and creative elements support merchandise and marketing objectives to drive sales.
- Direct the management of all vendor relations from the identification of new vendors, negotiation of contracts, assortment management, performance analysis and problem resolution.
- Support and develop merchandise staff by communicating strategies and priorities, providing formal training opportunities and coaching on a regular basis. Develop their product knowledge, negotiation skills with vendors, and problem solving skills.
- Reporting directly or indirectly to this position are support staff consisting of a combination of Buyers, Associate Buyers, Assistant Buyers, Vendor Merchandise Assistants and Merchandise Detail Assistants. This position will be responsible for the following:
- Accomplish department objectives by directing and monitoring the work progress of their team and direct reports .
- Provide coaching, development and guidance to team and direct reports.
- Set expectations, annual goals and provide required quarterly touch base meetings with all direct reports.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of ten years of merchandise management experience to include product planning and forecasting, vendor negotiations, pricing analyses and inventory control required.
- Experience in supervising and managing teams required.
- Advanced jewelry and supply chain knowledge, demonstrated vendor negotiation experience and project management skills are required.
- Excellent relationship building, communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work and communicate effectively with external partners and internal functional areas.
- Strong presentation and communication skills required.
- Must be able to multi-task, be flexible, perform in fast-paced environment and maintain focus while anticipating and reacting to shifting priorities and changes in business.
- Hybrid schedule with predictable onsite attendance required three or more days per week to perform essential functions involving interactive behaviors with co-workers and managers, operation or manipulation of equipment and/or materials located only on site, and direct interaction with internal and/or external customers and vendors.