Columbia Sportswear, Inc.:
Divisional Merchandising Manager, US Wholesale - Apparel Job in Burlington, VT

As the Divisional Merchandising Manager for the US Wholesale Apparel Marketplace you will play an integral role in the evolution and growth of the Columbia Sportswear business. Balancing the US regional business needs while ensuring alignment with the Columbia Brand strategy and initiatives is a signifcant part of the role. The Regional Market Merchandising team reports into the Columbia Brand and has responsibility for delivering to the Brand and US business growth objectives and long range plans. This role reports into the North America Merchandising Director and will have responsibility for the US Wholesale Market Merchandising team (2 merchandising managers, 1 merchant and 1 merchandising coordinator).Influencing skills, cross-functional leadership and collaboration are essential for working with in-region and corporate stakeholders. This role requires strong financial acumen and the ability to develop and drive strategy for long term growth. In addition, as a manager of the US market merchandising team, you are responsible for your teams successful execution of these plans. Effective conflict management and problem-solving skills are critical to success in this role.This role requires a strong skill set in assortment planning led through the lense of the consumer experience. You will partner with sales management to effectively define and implement the appropriate segmentation strategies necessary to maximize revenue and profitability while improving forecast accuracy and SKU productivity. Utilizing market based information, sales performance and consumer knowledge, you and your team will influence the product line for your region and adopt a channel relevant product mix and assortments covering key price points. Your success as a Divisional Merchandising Manager is dependent upon your ability to attract new talent, redirect behavior or performance and develop direct reports through formal and informal coaching and formal goal progress quarterly. Talent Development is an important CSC goal and will be an important part of each Managers role.

Responsibilities: - Divisional Merchandising Manager, US Wholesale Apparel
Lead the development of market & consumer relevant seasonal Brand aligned product assortments (wholesale) for your markets, leveraging history, market knowledge, trend assessment and financial risk and reward. Alignment with DTC/ECOMM merchants will be required to execute omni-channel strategies.
Educate and influence sales force through seasonal product innovation & technology presentations and story telling including brand & product initiatives, product assortments, consumer profiles and marketing support.
Elevate presentation at seasonal prelines within the wholesale channel. Develop initial assortment plans and business proposals for accounts prior to prelines in partnership with Sales. Be able to come with a solid rationale and business overview to influence buyers to buy into the proposed assortments and plan.
In partnership with sales and planning, you will lead work-streams to develop seasonal and long term growth strategies supported by business planning.
As a US Channel expert you will influence global product line plans through leveraging your knowledge of the market, competitive landscape, consumer and market trends in order to to ensure product needs for your region are covered.
Responsibility for the US Wholesale seasonal product adoption & assortments (From concept to sales meeting) to ensure seasonal financial targets and style count targets are met, product delivery flow is developed and storytelling supported by business analytics is set for sell-in.
Own sales meeting product content and execution planning, process, communication and presentation seasonally. Collaborate with Sales Management for the budget, intended outcome and coordination of agendas, timing, samples and presentation format.
Partner with sales and merchandising leadership to determine seasonal product line pricing strategies, programs and segmentation around exclusive collections. .
Demonstrate, effective cross-functional communication (verbal and written), collaboration and coordination throughout the seasonal product creation process. Follow through and closed loop communication effort is mandatory.
Partner with finance to manage margin and profitability for seasonal product line to hit seasonal targets. Lead work-streams with Costing, Global Merch and Finance with the Regional Merchandising team to identify strategies and tactics to deliver upon profitability goals each season.
Drive business analytical work-streams (margin, style/sku count, style/sku productivity, forecasting, bookings and sell-thru analysis) and Market/Consumer knowledge improvement to build team expertise on the regional business and the management of it.
Manage the Go-To-Market calendar, process and deliverable execution in collaboration with Regional Marketing, Sales, Demand Planning, Event Planning and Sales Operations. Influence Go-To-Market plans to support Brand Strategy and Initiatives with regional relevance.
Partner with DTC/ECOMM Merchants to align on product assortments and pricing across distribution channels (Omni-Channel).
Ensure execution of strict timelines while simultaneously managing direct reports, cross-functional work-streams and seasonal calendars.
Manage multi-seasonal financial forecasting informed by retail reality, market trend, historical data and consumer buying behavior.
Effectively present ideas and concepts to a diverse audiences through storytelling and business justification.


Requirements:

Must have:
Minimum of 8 years product, merchandising and/or sales experience in outerwear and sportswear categories (preferably outdoor or action sports industry).
Experience working in the US wholesale apparel business (preferably outdoor sporting goods, specialty, department store and/or Farm & Coastal distribution).
Strong knowledge of consumer current buying behaviors and competitive landscape for this wholesale market (Established strong retailer relationships preferred).
3+ years of team management with the passion to coach and develop direct reports. (experience in managing managers with direct reports preferred).
Sound business management skills with demonstrated financial acumen.
Strategic mindset and capabilities to develop long term vision and plans.
Proven record in delivering results to revenue, profitability and market-share targets.
Experience in working within a corporate structure with the ability to influence at all levels of the company.
Must have mental capability and capacity to troubleshoot and solve problems of moderate complexity or difficulty.
Ability to navigate and lead through ambiguity and change
Capacity to work across multiple seasons with competing priorities. (line adoption, GTM, long-term planning, SRT program, etc)
Vision and skill set to evolve and improve preline & sales meetings effectiveness to ready sales team to sell in.
Cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to lead work-streams (IE sales/planning/reg merch intersection calendar & process).
Strong communication skills (written, verbal and in presentation).
Thorough PC and/or Apple MAC knowledge and proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Power Point.
MBA and/or Bachelors degree in business or related discipline.





Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one for over 70 years, constantly