Merchandise Manager - Public Safety Equipment

Description

The Merchandise Manager leads a dynamic merchandising team, driving strategy and execution across digital and physical channels for public safety equipment. This role is pivotal in shaping product offerings for fire, law enforcement, and EMS professionals, leveraging market insights, advanced analytics, and cross-functional collaboration to maximize impact and profitability. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, skilled negotiator, and passionate advocate for innovation in public safety gear.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Development and Management: Drive accountability by setting clear goals, expectations, and performance standards for the merchandising team.Mentor and coach team members, providing regular feedback and guidance to support professional growth.Design and deliver training programs to enhance team skills, product knowledge, and operational excellence.Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute omnichannel merchandising strategies aligned with company goals and evolving market trends.
• Digital Merchandising: Lead digital initiatives, optimizing product presentation and promotions across e-commerce platforms and integrating showroom, print, and sales teams.
• Product Assortment & Innovation: Curate and manage product assortments based on customer preferences, sales data, and market research. Identify opportunities for new product development and category expansion.
• Vendor Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure compliance with company standards.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Analyze sales, inventory, and market data using advanced analytics tools (Excel, ERP/CRM systems) to inform product and inventory decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, sales, supply chain, and IT to launch new products and campaigns, ensuring cohesive execution.
• Customer & Market Insights: Gather and analyze customer feedback and market intelligence to inform merchandising strategies and product development.
• Budget Management: Oversee budgeting for product categories, ensuring profitability and efficient allocation of resources.
• Compliance: Adhere to all Witmer Public Safety Group Policies and Procedures.

Work location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania, across from the Chester County Airport (right off the express 30 bypass).

Work details: Hybrid (max 2 days/week remote) - onsite preferred. General work schedule - 8:30-5:30 with an hour for lunch.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience: 5-10+ years of experience in merchandising or related roles, with a focus in public safety (fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical services).
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis tools and software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, NetSuite, BlueRidge).
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly.
• Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to negotiate favorable terms with vendors and partners.
• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently while meeting all required deadlines.
• Creative Thinking : Proven ability to identify, develop, design or create new products.
• Leadership: Experience in leading and developing teams.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. This position will routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

While performing the duties of this job in a professional office environment, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary.