General Merchandise Manager

  

The Merchandising department is responsible for product sourcing and vendor negotiation.  Reporting to the Vice President of Merchandising and Consumer Marketing, the General Merchandise Manager will provide leadership, vision and motivation for all of the merchandising buying offices in the development of all programs and products for the retail stores. 

 

Position Summary

• Develop strategic direction for the merchandising team based upon the overall corporate direction
• Develop and implement short term and long term strategic plans for the merchandising team
• Develop creative methods to fund strategic corporate initiatives. 
• Participate on cross functional teams to develop various corporate projects and overall corporate strategic issues
• Develop direction for major product categories and work with direct reports to advise direction in categories such as: paint, tools, hardware
• Develop overall marketing and sales efforts including: conventions, special advertising programs, advertising item selection
• Determine strategic direction for our Private label merchandise and Import products

• Works closely with VP of Merchandising & Consumer Marketing and Vendor Partners to maximize sales to the retail stores
• Partner with the VP of Merchandising & Consumer Marketing to evolve brand vision
• Oversee the merchandise mix to support and define the brand
• Drive achievement of margin and revenue goals based on financial plans
• Participate in strategy development with Consumer Marketing and Inventory Planning
• Maintain awareness of competition relative to product value relationship and customer profitability
• Provides leadership and management of Department Merchandise Managers and indirect leadership to the Corporate Buying team
• Leverages top-down direction to set the overall strategy and merchandise direction for the corporation
• Anticipates market/business trends and develops a plan for response
• Directs assortment selection process and reviews assortments for balance (brands, key items, core items, etc.) and adherence to strategic and financial objectives
• Establishes and maintains effective vendor relationships and works with the Department Merchandise Managers to strengthen market relationships and product and trend knowledge
• Understands competitors strengths, weaknesses and strategies
• Accountable for corporate merchandise  performance, recommends revisions to the merchandise plan/forecast based on sound analysis and ensures corrective actions are implemented
• Establishes collaborative relationships with Inventory Planning and Retail Support departments to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise
• Coaches and develops Department Merchandise Managers, Buyers, Associate Buyers and Assistant Buyers ensuring growth and readiness for next level position
• Drives compliance and standards with processes, policies and tools within the group

Knowledge & Skill Requirements

• Merchandising experience with strong sales orientation, wholesale, retail or manufacturing experience required
• Strong experience in retailing, negotiating, problem solving and project management
• Working knowledge of short and long term budgeting and financial measurements
• Strong knowledge of retail metrics in order to effectively analyze programs
• Strong leadership skills in coaching and developing employees including mentoring the team, supporting their professional development, evaluating job performance and productivity according to key metrics and driving continuous improvement of existing and newly established processes
• Ability to effectively communicate—verbally and in writing—with all levels of the organization
• Strong computer skills, proficient with MS Office
• Ability to identify or create trends
• Leadership skills to achieve continued improvements, results, and successes
• Ability to inspire others through compelling vision of the future and execute vision into action
• Strong organizational and planning skills are required
• Must possess ability to persuade, influence and build consensus among all parties.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; MBA strongly desired