OverviewThe Divisional Merchandise Manager- Women's Apparel contributes to REI's success by leading the merchandising team in achieving seasonal and annual membership, sales, gross margin, and inventory goals for $500M-$1B+ in company annual sales. In partnership with the VP General Merchandise Manager, drives holistic multi-season product strategy and specialty shop business plans that achieve corporate priorities and objectives. Works closely with Director of Planning to lead the specialty shop's operations to deliver the business plans. Builds and maintains excellent relationships with our strategic vendors, in order to achieve mutual goals of customer acquisition, sales, profitability, and brand positioning. Develops, communicates, and executes the merchandising seasonal vision and influences the go-to-market plan by closely collaborating with cross divisional partners to ensure cohesive and compelling customer facing presentation of products and stories.
Responsibilities and Qualifications- Lead annual strategic business planning to achieve membership, financial, impact, and customer goals, including specialty shop and new category plans.
- Align cross-divisional partners and vendor strategies to support enterprise merchandising, marketing, and customer objectives.
- Set and guide strategic assortment direction to ensure profitability, sales growth, and alignment with the overall merchandising vision.
- Analyze business performance and market trends, adjusting strategies to strengthen short-term results and long-range plans.
- Oversee seasonal hindsight reviews and trend identification to inform future product and activity strategies.
- Partner with Planning and Replenishment to define financial goals and ensure effective governance of merchandise planning, margin, and inventory performance.
- Drive process improvements that enhance merchandising efficiency, operations, and cross-department strategy execution.
- Collaborate across Marketing, Digital, Visual Merchandising, Retail, and Co-op Brands to ensure cohesive product planning and omni-channel execution.
- As a member of the Leadership Forum, develops a deep understanding of, effectively communicates and broadly supports execution of company strategies and priorities, aligning all partners towards a common goal and clear product vision.
- Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.
- Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.
- Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of merchandising management experience including general management, assortment planning, financial planning, inventory management, and product development, with 3+ years managing multi-million dollar merchandising plans for a company with sales above $500MM/year.
- 5+ years of people management experience.
- Demonstrated insight and expertise in planning and executing annual merchandising strategies and business plans across national and geographic markets
- Knowledge of retail, manufacturing, and distribution processes with experience in multi-channel retailing
- Knowledge of business principles from multiple disciplines and ability to apply these principles in driving change/outcomes in cross-functional projects and activities
- Proven negotiation experience and relationship building skills
- Progressively responsible experience in managing business operations for large multi-unit companies
- Builds capacity of individuals and teams through effective employee development, involvement, communication, and supervision efforts.
- Creates a strong, mutually supportive work spirit and culture where people can do their best.
- Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.
Pay Range$140,300.00 - $238,600.00 per year
