Summit Resource International, LLC:
Vice President of Merchandising Job in Bozeman , MT

Caterpillar, trademarked in 1910, is a globally recognized brand built on a deep-rooted heritage of ingenious machines. The apparel division in Bozeman Montana creates award-winning streetwear and workwear that resonate throughout our vast distribution network. If you want to be part of a historic brand pushing the boundaries in apparel and redefining workwear read on...

CAT Apparel seeks senior leader that will set the vision for and ultimately deliver apparel and accessory products that reflect world class innovation, disrupt the market, and create excitement among existing and new consumers. This VP will join the Leadership Team and play a key role as we chart a course for our next phase of growth, for the iconic CAT brand.

Responsibilities:
• Lead a product team that consistently delivers best-in-class products and creates global brand point of view in Lifestyle, Workwear, and Kids in apparel and accessories.
• Lead, inspire, and empower a team of Product Line Managers, Product Developers and Designers.
• Join the Leadership Team to refine and enhance brand strategy and direction.
• Collaborate with the sales leads to align on the right product need to grow the business.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Product Development personnel to ensure that every CAT product is hyper-focused on consumer needs and reflects brand DNA.
• Owns the Global line plan for each business unit showing number of styles, expected sales in units/$.
• Owns the seasonal growth plan for each business unit.
• Develops, owns and manages the Line assortment and seasonal planning for each business unit.
• Oversee the creation of seasonal color and trend stories for the brand against consumer and brand targets.
• Guide the Product Development team to ensure all new products are on-brief, on-cost, and on time.
• The role provides leadership by empowering direct reports with ownership over their individual categories and collectively is responsible for meeting the target metrics of sales, COGS, margin $, market share, and overall profitability.
• Collaborate with the Sales and Marketing teams to amplify the Big Ideas and place them in the targeted distribution.
• Develops, owns and manages the Apparel development calendar to achieve go to market calendar for each business unit.
• Drive improved performance across Price, Quality, Delivery, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
• Actively participate in all Sales Conferences, Internal and External Product Line Reviews and meetings by presenting key strategies and tactics.
• Prepare and present the detailed seasonal presentations for internal and external stake holders communicating critical design and merchandising stories along with business cases and financials.
• Maintain close alliances with sourcing partners to ensure seamless communication and execution.
• Participate in the evolution of our Strategic Sourcing Plans by representing the needs of the CAT Brand to the internal functional groups.
• Manage departmental budgets within targeted expenditures.
• Build a high performance team through the ongoing development, coaching and training of people.
• Support the executions of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management systems.
• Ensure timely, effective communications.
• Manage action items to drive process improvement, systems enhancements, and organizational alignment between the various functionary groups.
• Coordinate all product development and brand issues to ensure that issues are escalated and resolved in a timely manner.