Divisional Merchandising Manager

Merchandise Manager

This is a hybrid role based out of our HQ in Carlsbad CA. In-office expectation is 4 days a week.

About The Position

The Merchandise Manager leads a category unit in creating seasonal product strategies while supporting long-range planning. Leads the development of seasonal line plans and ensures successful Go-to-Market activities globally. Leads cross-functional teams to develop and drive a unified vision of the product line that meets the needs of the consumer while driving profitable growth. Mentors, coaches, guides team members to drive product excellence and team performance that drives company growth initiatives.

They are also responsible for managing the seasonal assortment data, analyzing market information, and keeping the go-to-market tools current and accurate. This role will work closely with the rest of Product Management, Sales, Direct-to-Consumer, Planning, Finance, and Marketing teams to ensure the merchandising and product direction is executed.

How You'll Make A Difference

• Supports the efforts in the creation and execution of the mid- and long-term strategies for the business. Contributes through business, marketplace, and consumer research and analysis identifying opportunities to grow the business long term.
• Work cross-functionally and needs partnership and the support from key stakeholders in Design, Finance, Planning, Marketing, Sales, and Manufacturing to ensure priorities are aligned.
• Builds the bottom-up seasonal line plan for a portion of the business. Includes growth drivers that align with the strategic business direction and considers macro trends in the marketplace.
• Ensures line plan creation results in the meeting or exceeding of revenue and productivity metrics and aligns with brand vision while meeting the needs of customers across the globe.
• Participates and supports the team's efforts across all global waypoints and Go-to-Market activities. Ensures these activities meet all calendar deliverables and deadlines defined by the brand's master calendar.
• Plays a key role for the business's cross-functional product teams.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to the overall team.
• Partners with other functional peers to ensure teams are executing on the direction and priorities of the business and holds teams accountable. Identifies best practices in order to improve communication, operational efficiency, process, tools, and sustain seamless working relationships.
• Provides commercial support for the US marketplace. Helps to create and execute marketplace segmentation for their business that maximizes business opportunities across Wholesale, DTC, and eCommerce channels in the US marketplace.
• Partners with Sales teams to ensure full alignment in product and pricing architecture that reflects the relevant marketplace. Supports the Sales team's efforts in creating sell-in assets and attends pre-line and other key-account meetings in representing the product assortment.
• With an attention detail and acute accuracy, the Sportswear Merchant ensures assortment tools have correct product details and are cross-functionally distributed. All changes are captured and maintained in a timely fashion.
• Works to enter, update and maintain all data in P L M as well as Line Plan worksheets, and Line Architecture Tools.
• Ensure timely communication with cross-functional team on changes/shifts.
• Ensures the accuracy of the style and product line information in internal systems throughout the creation process.
• Participate in team meetings, staff meetings, and other meetings to assure strong communication on all process and product related issues.
• Partners with Marketing to disseminate information aiding in the creation of marketing collateral for distribution, i.e. hangtags, packaging, point-of-sale, etc.
• Leads select product presentations with Marketing and Sales
• Helps ensure critical gates and dates in the process are met, data/updates are coordinated and fulfilled timely and per deadlines as assigned.
• Participate in regional market trips and provide marketplace insights.
• Initiate seasonal hindsighting and assortment analytics.
• Entrepreneurial approach to understand the assigned marketplace, including regional differences across diverse channels of distribution

You Are

• A brand ambassador and champion for prAna
• Successful at working with both internal and external teams and providing accurate direction and goals.
• Teamwork oriented and collaborative.
• A visionary and have a growth mindset

You Have

• Minimum of 8-10 years Merchandising or Product Line Management experience in the sportswear, outdoor or action sports industry.
• Experience leading a team preferred.
• Strong attention to details and accuracy.
• Ability to multi-task, organize, and have excellent time management.
• Strong ability to work in multiple seasons across multiple channels at any given time.
• PLM or other product management systems preferred.