REI (Recreational Equipment Inc):
Senior Category Merchandising Manager Job in Seattle, VT
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Seattle, VT
Full-time | Merchandising
About the job
Senior Category Merchandising Manager
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Posted Date: May-14-2021
Job ID: 20079
Job Type: Full Time
Job Function: Merchandising
City: Seattle
State: Washington
Store: Seattle HQ
Remote Eligible: No
Please visit the Covid-19 Hiring Updates before applying
What's cool about this job
The Senior Category Merchandising Manager contributes to REI’s success by providing operational leadership for the Actionsports team, developing strategic business plans and driving key company financial metrics including sales, turn, margin and in-stock goals. This leader has both oversight and direct buying responsibilities for select categories; this includes managing assortment architecture, product development and product selection for the Retail and Direct channels, while leading, coaching and developing Buyers and ACMs. Builds and maintains excellent relationships between vendors and REI in order to achieve mutual goals of sales and profitability. Deep understanding of Customer and Market trends and insights, both from qualitative and quantitative metrics. Supports the GMM in planning and development of seasonal Product Strategies and provides thought leadership with CMMs, Buyers, Planning & Replenishment colleagues to coordinate successful execution. Prepares cross divisional product support plans in partnership with Sr. CMM peers, Marketing, Visual Merch, Retail Ops and Digital Retail. Models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission.
Leadership
Support the GMM in multi-year strategy and development of seasonal Specialty Shop Product Strategy
Provide operational and thought leadership with CMMs, Buyers and Planning leadershipOrganize all aspect of go-to-market and go-to-customer for Actionsports division
Prepare x-div product support plans (Marketing, Visual Merch, Retail Ops and Digital Retail)
Lead and partner with strategy, x-div and financial teams throughout planning and execution
Mentor Buyers across all activities within Actionsports for quality outcomes and development
Lead department-level category management block development, aligned with GMM’s shop-level guidance
! Identify and communicate key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.
! Challenge, inspire, and cultivate a team environment.
! Oversee training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed.
! Provide coaching, direction and leadership support to employees in order to achieve department, company and customer results.
Assortment Planning
Create assortment strategies and partner with Category Planning Manager to develop initial sales forecast for product category based on corporate and specialty shop strategic objectives; financial, market and industry trends; item and vendor performance (sales, margin, markdowns, quality and in-stocks).
Identify target customers and their needs by product category by using seasonal planning surveys from Retail and Direct Marketing, reviewing customer comments, visiting stores, reading trade publications, communicating with Retail and participating in the industry.
Build compelling assortments that meet the needs of our target customers by considering product attributes, intended end use, activity levels, pricing ladder, REI Brand Frame and market trends.
Lead and coordinate Buyers across Activity to deliver cohesive Retail and Digital assortments
Reconcile style plan and Marketing continuities with financial and space plan at class and departmental level.
Set retail prices in accordance with market needs as well as corporate and vendor policies.
Vendor Relationships/Development
Build and maintain relationships with vendors in developing strategic business plans.
Negotiate with vendors for best costs, terms, discounts, freight, marketing support to optimize profitability.
Continually seek out new vendors aligned with REI values and creating innovative product opportunities.
Business Acumen and PlanningStrong financial acumen, contributing to the development of short and long-term business plans.
Understand, fully use and continuously improve processes and systems.
Intimately know and monitor competitive, specialty shop and industry trends.
Collaborate and influence with Planner and Forecast Analyst about forecasting of new products, initial delivery information, and product life cycles.
Bring your passion and expertise
Insight & experience implementing product strategy
Demonstrated effectiveness navigating cross divisional boundaries
Command of analytical skills; applied knowledge of merchandising financial plans and performance measurements
5+ years merchandising experience
Command of negotiation and relationship building skills
Understanding of merchandising principles and the market (trends, conditions, sales, projections, etc.) and ability to translate that information into assortment plans and product selections.
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.
Establishes trust and inspires others.
Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.
Delivers on commitments and holds others to same.
Champions the organization and advocates solutions in the overall Company's best interest.
Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.
Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
Fosters change in company direction.
Effectively plans and executes changes.
Ecommerce background is preferred, understand digital space and metrics.
At REI we offer an enviable work environment that Fortune Magazine has recognized on the "100 Best Places to Work" list since the award's inception – 23 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place.
With more than 160 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 15,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more.
REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Apply
Back to job search
Share
Apply
Share
Posted Date: May-14-2021
Job ID: 20079
Job Type: Full Time
Job Function: Merchandising
City: Seattle
State: Washington
Store: Seattle HQ
Remote Eligible: No
Please visit the Covid-19 Hiring Updates before applying
What's cool about this job
The Senior Category Merchandising Manager contributes to REI’s success by providing operational leadership for the Actionsports team, developing strategic business plans and driving key company financial metrics including sales, turn, margin and in-stock goals. This leader has both oversight and direct buying responsibilities for select categories; this includes managing assortment architecture, product development and product selection for the Retail and Direct channels, while leading, coaching and developing Buyers and ACMs. Builds and maintains excellent relationships between vendors and REI in order to achieve mutual goals of sales and profitability. Deep understanding of Customer and Market trends and insights, both from qualitative and quantitative metrics. Supports the GMM in planning and development of seasonal Product Strategies and provides thought leadership with CMMs, Buyers, Planning & Replenishment colleagues to coordinate successful execution. Prepares cross divisional product support plans in partnership with Sr. CMM peers, Marketing, Visual Merch, Retail Ops and Digital Retail. Models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission.
Leadership
Support the GMM in multi-year strategy and development of seasonal Specialty Shop Product Strategy
Provide operational and thought leadership with CMMs, Buyers and Planning leadershipOrganize all aspect of go-to-market and go-to-customer for Actionsports division
Prepare x-div product support plans (Marketing, Visual Merch, Retail Ops and Digital Retail)
Lead and partner with strategy, x-div and financial teams throughout planning and execution
Mentor Buyers across all activities within Actionsports for quality outcomes and development
Lead department-level category management block development, aligned with GMM’s shop-level guidance
! Identify and communicate key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.
! Challenge, inspire, and cultivate a team environment.
! Oversee training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed.
! Provide coaching, direction and leadership support to employees in order to achieve department, company and customer results.
Assortment Planning
Create assortment strategies and partner with Category Planning Manager to develop initial sales forecast for product category based on corporate and specialty shop strategic objectives; financial, market and industry trends; item and vendor performance (sales, margin, markdowns, quality and in-stocks).
Identify target customers and their needs by product category by using seasonal planning surveys from Retail and Direct Marketing, reviewing customer comments, visiting stores, reading trade publications, communicating with Retail and participating in the industry.
Build compelling assortments that meet the needs of our target customers by considering product attributes, intended end use, activity levels, pricing ladder, REI Brand Frame and market trends.
Lead and coordinate Buyers across Activity to deliver cohesive Retail and Digital assortments
Reconcile style plan and Marketing continuities with financial and space plan at class and departmental level.
Set retail prices in accordance with market needs as well as corporate and vendor policies.
Vendor Relationships/Development
Build and maintain relationships with vendors in developing strategic business plans.
Negotiate with vendors for best costs, terms, discounts, freight, marketing support to optimize profitability.
Continually seek out new vendors aligned with REI values and creating innovative product opportunities.
Business Acumen and PlanningStrong financial acumen, contributing to the development of short and long-term business plans.
Understand, fully use and continuously improve processes and systems.
Intimately know and monitor competitive, specialty shop and industry trends.
Collaborate and influence with Planner and Forecast Analyst about forecasting of new products, initial delivery information, and product life cycles.
Bring your passion and expertise
Insight & experience implementing product strategy
Demonstrated effectiveness navigating cross divisional boundaries
Command of analytical skills; applied knowledge of merchandising financial plans and performance measurements
5+ years merchandising experience
Command of negotiation and relationship building skills
Understanding of merchandising principles and the market (trends, conditions, sales, projections, etc.) and ability to translate that information into assortment plans and product selections.
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.
Establishes trust and inspires others.
Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.
Delivers on commitments and holds others to same.
Champions the organization and advocates solutions in the overall Company's best interest.
Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.
Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
Fosters change in company direction.
Effectively plans and executes changes.
Ecommerce background is preferred, understand digital space and metrics.
At REI we offer an enviable work environment that Fortune Magazine has recognized on the "100 Best Places to Work" list since the award's inception – 23 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place.
With more than 160 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 15,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more.
REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Apply
Back to job search
Share