Overview
The Divisional Merchandising Manager (DMM) - Footwear leads the merchandising strategy for Cavender's western boot and footwear categories to drive sales, margin, and profitability. This role oversees Buyers and Buyer's Assistants, with a strong dotted line to Planners and Allocators. The role also partners with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Ecommerce, New Store, Design, and Visual Merchandising, to deliver compelling customer-focused assortments and efficient inventory strategies across stores and digital channels. The DMM plays a key role in shaping Cavender's western footwear business by developing strategic assortments across men's, women's, and youth western boots and related footwear categories. This role ensures Cavender's remains a destination for authentic western footwear by identifying emerging trends, strengthening brand partnerships, and delivering assortments that reflect the lifestyle and needs of the western customer.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Support the "Cavender's Culture" and drive our Mission, Vision, and Values
• Develop and execute seasonal and annual merchandising strategies for western boots and footwear aligned with company goals
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to deliver top-line sales growth and bottom-line profitability within the western footwear business
• Guide category performance through data-driven decision-making and consumer insights specific to western footwear trends and customer demand
• Drive assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and inventory strategies across western boot and footwear categories
• Build strong vendor partnerships with key western boot brands and footwear suppliers to drive innovation, exclusives, and competitive assortments
• Partner with Marketing and Ecommerce teams to build omnichannel campaigns that increase traffic and conversion for western footwear
• Analyze business performance, market trends, and competitive landscape within the western boot and footwear market to inform future planning
• Mentor and manage a team of Buyers, Planners, and Allocators; foster professional growth and succession planning
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising and field teams to execute in-store product presentation and seasonal merchandising strategies for western footwear
• Ensure adherence to merchandise calendars and critical milestone timelines
• Communicate merchandising vision clearly and effectively across teams and leadership levels
• Serve as a voice for Cavender's on merchandising, western boot trends, brand partnerships, forecasts, strategic opportunities, and risks
• Drive calendar to meet crucial dates and hold team accountable
• Assist in the planning and execution of the financial forecast of the western footwear business, partnering with Planning Leaders
• Participate in the creation of and communicate the in-store experience for western footwear from vision through execution and floor sets for full-price and promotional business
• Build relationships through effective communication and collaboration as a solution-oriented team leader
Qualifications and Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, including leadership of cross-functional teams
• Proven success managing footwear or western boot categories within a retail merchandising environment
• Strong understanding of western footwear customer preferences, product construction, brand positioning, and market trends
• Experience in category management, planning, and allocation within footwear or related merchandise categories
• Experience building and leading digital and omnichannel strategies
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Proficient in merchandising systems and retail platforms (EDI, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Jesta, etc.)
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
Preferred Skills
• Experience in Western and workwear merchandise categories.
• Strong digital acumen and comfort working with consumer data.
• Background in fast-paced, multi-unit retail environments.
• Ability to influence and lead across multiple departments and levels.
