Job Details
Directly responsible for a given category with spend of greater than $100m while managing a group of merchants with a combined spend of greater than $600m. Supplier relationships, negotiation skills and an advanced understanding of how to gain efficiencies in a decentralized and Omni Channel supply chain environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- In addition to managing a category provide leadership to the merchant team through a direct reporting structure. Leveraging prior experience as either a buyer or a supplier to implement best practices in the merchandising department. Lead the merchandising department with expectations and regular goal setting with follow up and action plans. Thought leaders for all of merchandising as it pertains to suppliers and Omni channel development.
- Completes thorough line review process. Develops deep understanding of consumer needs, product trends/styles, brand preferences and decision hierarchy for their category. Assorts products based on the needs of the specific market. Recommends product line with consideration given to competitor product offering and pricing. Develops annual promotional plan. Also considers current product in stores and makes recommendations on potential changes required to introduce the new products. Analyzes financial program with understanding of total product cost (returns, service, delivery cost, etc.). Develops plan for delivering the category strategy to the customer including rolling out new product, product presentation and product knowledge training.
- Functions as captain of the supplier relationship leading all communication with suppliers including assortment selection, cost negotiation, promotional buys, timing, and support. Also functions as liaison between supplier and other internal RAC teams to facilitate communication with team experts and supplier experts regarding issues such as COOP funds, service, and logistics.
- Drives the promotional calendar from a product perspective. Annual planning process will allow for pro-active product selection for promotional vehicles. New product launches will be communicated effectively to ensure appropriate marketing support. Collaborates with marketing to ensure appropriate product presentation on .com.
- Develops and maintains the category assortment with a deep understanding of the customer value proposition and how it impacts customer demand and the category contribution to profitability. Works with the pricing team to ensure pricing strategies are in line with RAC standards and delivers optimal unit velocity and profitability.
- Clear, specific direction provided to the stores on product placement and presentation with consideration given to varying store formats. Develops appropriate POP in collaboration with Marketing and Operation Planning teams considering existing fixtures for optimal presentation.
- Defines and communicates the inventory strategy for their categories driving inventory productivity to maximize GMROI. Collaborates with Merchandise Planning/Reporting/Allocation team in order to track and maintain inventory levels and health to deliver upon strategies.
- Accountable for providing stores product knowledge information and tools to sell the product. Works with RAC Training Department and Sales Strategy Department to develop training materials.
- Drives the category strategy from product development to the customer on the sales floor. Works with Store Operations to execute the plan.
- Works with Purchasing Operations team to ensure best practices are used for supplier and sku set up/ maintenance defining active assortment on portal and RAC.com.
- Established SME for merchandising department with process definition for an Omni channel approach.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in related field
- 10+ years previous merchandising / supply chain experience.
- Strong business acumen in the areas of financial metrics around retail inventory / purchasing ROI.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Established leadership skills with previous experience leading cross functional teams/ projects.
- Comfortable communicating across various levels of management including executive management.
- Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
- Outstanding negotiation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications especially Excel and PowerPoint.
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