Divisional Merchandise Manager

Responsibilities

• Achieve sales budget, profit margin and turn while managing inventory assortments across multiple departments. Work in collaboration with the Merchant, Planning, Marketing, Dotcom, Operations and Finance divisions to drive revenue and profit margin
• Lead Merchant organization through monthly review of open to buy and forecast process to correctly assess the current state of the business and provide accurate future projections. Manager Buyers to ensure purchases fit within receipt plan and will deliver the required sales volume, net margin, and inventory turn goals.
• Evaluate actual results against plan. Adjust buying forecasts based on performance while identifying opportunities to increase sales and reduce markdown liability. provide recommendations and options with respect to assortment, lifecycle management, exit strategies and clearance inventory liquidation.
• Take appropriate risks after quantifying opportunities and provide appropriate recommendations to deliver overall company financial objectives.  
• Work cross-functionally with Planning and Operations to deliver merchandise strategy in stores and with Dotcom to maximize online selling.
• Collaborate with Planning and Supply chain to optimize inventory movement, developing strategies to improve network, flow, turn and lower costs.
• Recognize and leverage category business opportunities based on industry trends, competitive research and customer demand to ensure competitive advantage.
• Benchmark and forecast trends and buying habits that align with customer interest and deliver those in merchandising presentations.
• Develop and maintain profitable and productive partnerships with vendors including domestic and import.
• Champion and support new business initiatives that support AWBC's long term vision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Retail Merchandising, Marketing or Business or equivalent experience.
• Minimum7-10 years of progressive experience in a retail environment with a multi-unit retailer.
• Financial Acumen-knowledge of and ability to impact financial outcomes. Includes strong retail math acumen, including elements of markup, margin planning, open-to-buy, inventory productivity measures (WOS, Turn, GMROI).
• Strategic and Analytical Thinker-thinks strategically, conceptually and creatively; has demonstrated ability to drive innovation that delivers results.
• Experience directly managing people and their performance. Ability to collaborate, adapt, change priorities and prioritize workloads to meet deadlines.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to communication and present effectively and clearly, reflecting an appropriate sense of urgency to all levels of management and demonstrate a collaborative management style.
• Advanced computer skills to include MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook. Knowledge of retail based systems.
• 30-50% travel required.