Merchant Women's Swim (Finance)

Position Summary  

 As a Merchandise Manager, you will oversee your category through the product development process.  Specific responsibilities include financial planning (demand, markup, ad ratio, and GMROI), top and bottom line profit and loss, development of new product, and evaluation of existing styles. In this role you must have a strong knowledge of the Lands' End business, customer and the brand.  In addition, you will possess a solid understanding of the competition, and translate marketplace trends to Lands' End with an ‘eye for the product'. In collaboration with Senior/DMM, you will be responsible for the strategic vision of the category, identifying key items or business drivers and presenting the business plan.  You will work closely with Design, Creative, Sourcing/Technical Design and Inventory partnering on product content of each catalog, quality, fit of styles, and customer fulfillment. 

 Job Functions (Employees must be able to perform the job functions of this position satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the duties, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.)

 

• In collaboration with Senior/DMM provide strategic business plan and vision. Identify risks and recommend findings to channel and global merchant.  Own the details speak to the big picture.
• Deliver financial targets in both presenting and written form.
• Identify and quantify strategies that align with divisional and brand goals.
• Drive the business through evolution of key items and new product. White space opportunities that can grow into future key items and product improvements.
• Demonstrate consistent leadership to critical business partners by consistently communicating.
• Provide coaching, training, and develop, feedback to direct reports and merchandising team.
• Interpret trends in the marketplace, adapt for the category assortment and LE customer/brand.
• Influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams to create and execute action plans that deliver strategies and financial results including Design, Planning, PD/Sourcing, Creative and Marketing/LEBO sales.
• Prioritize and manage projects from concept to completion within time constraints, deadline and calendars.
• Make decisions based on data provided by category research and cross functional partners.

 

Skills

• 4-7 years buying or merchandising experience either in catalog, specialty, department and digital store environment.
• Strong merchandising ability including; Identifying and capitalizing on trends, market opportunities and leverages competitive advantages.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen.
• Strong Digital channel functionalities (print, digital, retail etc.).
• Good written and verbal communication in small and large group settings.
• Pro-active, solution oriented, innovative, customer and brand focused.
• Ability to influence.
• Strong collaborator.
• Strong negotiating, organizational and analytical skills.
• Solid understanding of PC and business related applications ability to adapt to new applications.
• Ability to adapt.
• Ability to make sound decisions which allows day to day business to run with minimal guidance. Strong understanding of what larger decisions need sign off on. 
• Ability to communicate and manage at all levels. 
• Build and foster relationships.
• Highly motivated and flexible.

 

Leadership Responsibilities (if people manager)

• Lead and manager a team of 1-3 employees.
• Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to team members.
• Foster a collaborative and positive work environment.
• Set performance expectations and goals for team members.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
• Identify and address performance issues through coaching and disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Participate and recruitment and onboarding of new team members, as needed.
• Identify training needs within the team and coordinate relevant development programs, encourage continuous learning and skill development among team members.
• Serve as liaison between upper management and team, conveying organizational goals and expectations.
• Address conflicts or issues within the team promptly and effectively.
• Manage team resources, including workload distribution and project assignments.
• Ensure optimal utilization of team member's skills and expertise.
• Collaborate with upper management to establish team goals aligned with organizational objectives.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of department strategies.

 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to travel as needed.

 

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising or equivalent experience.
• 4-7 years of experience in buying or merchandising experience either in catalog, specialty, department and digital store environment
• 4+ years of experience in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Product Development