Merchandise Manager, at Johnston & Murphy

The Ideal Candidate

The Merchandising Manager is a strategic leader responsible for driving the performance, vision, and growth of assigned product categories across Johnston & Murphy retail stores and eCommerce channels. This role leads a team to develop and execute merchandise strategies that maximize sales, margin, inventory productivity, and customer engagement while ensuring alignment with the Johnston & Murphy brand position and business objectives.

As a key brand ambassador, the Merchandising Manager champions the brand point of view in cross-functional meetings, product discussions, and business planning, influencing decisions that strengthen customer experience and reinforce brand consistency. This leader partners closely with Design, Planning, Marketing, Retail Operations, and Executive Leadership to translate consumer insights and market trends into compelling assortments and growth opportunities.

How You Will Make an Impact

Merchandise Buying & Inventory Management

• Analyze weekly sales, inventory, and performance reports to identify opportunities, risks, and actionable insights that drive sales and profitability.
• Develop and maintain sales forecasts, inventory plans, and seasonal buy strategies by product category and channel.
• Communicate style-level sales projections and inventory requirements to the Sourcing team to support business objectives.
• Determine optimal SKU assortments, inventory depth, and breadth by store based on sales performance, capacity, customer demand, and regional trends.
• Establish and adjust store model stocks and replenishment strategies based on current sales trends, inventory positions, and store performance.
• Manage inter-store transfers and inventory reallocations to maximize sell-through and improve inventory productivity.

Omnichannel Merchandising

• Monitor inventory flow and product deliveries to distribution centers and stores to ensure timely receipt and allocation of merchandise.
• Support catalog and marketing initiatives through review and validation of product information, and pricing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Wholesale merchandising counterparts to align assortment, inventory, and product strategies across channels.
• Serve as the Direct-to-Consumer merchandising expert for assigned product categories, providing insights and recommendations to cross-functional partners.
• Communicate business performance, opportunities, and seasonal recaps to Product Development, Marketing, Sourcing, Operations, and Executive Leadership teams.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support special merchandising projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Travel occasionally to stores to assess performance, customer trends, and merchandising opportunities.

Experience and Skills You'll Need to Have

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business or a related field.
• 4+ years of progressive merchandising or buying experience, preferably within footwear and apparel.
• Proven experience managing product assortments across multiple channels, including retail and eCommerce.

Core Competencies

• Lead, coach and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Champion the Johnston & Murphy brand point of view in meetings, planning sessions and key business decisions.
• Communicate with confidence and managerial presence while effectively representing the merchandising team across the organization.
• Manage multiple priorities with agility and accountability while maintaining a high level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong knowledge of merchandise planning, forecasting, allocation, and inventory management systems.
• Ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize business systems, including IBM Planning Analytics, Jesta Merchandising System, and Jesta Sourcing & Demand.