Divisional Merchandise Manager – Women’s and Youth Soft Goods

Divisional Merchandise Manager – Women’s and Youth Soft Goods

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, in merchandising and business-related field is strongly preferred
• At least 7+ years in retail buying, merchandising, product category management
• Deep understanding of the outdoor industry and customer behaviors, with a passion for gear and technical products
• Experience managing, developing and leading a team
• Ability to assess and manage both technical and lifestyle brands and products
• Excellent organizational skills and extreme attention to detail
• Strong time management skills and must be solution-oriented
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in retail math, forecasting, and data-driven decision-making
• Excellent presentation skills and strong negotiation skills
• Proficient in tools like Excel, ERP/MRP systems, and merchandising planning software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A strong understanding of the E-commerce industry, Outdoor specific experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Responsible for meeting $100M+ in sales, margin, and inventory turn goals, using all available sites and channels
• Manage and mentor a team of 5-10 ranging from Assistant Buyer to Sr. Buyer level
• Develop and maintain accountability for overall assortment and selection strategy across both technical and lifestyle product and brands
• Implement and entrench a rigorous analytical process across the team to understand historical sales and inventory performance to inform future opportunities and actions
• Maintain and develop strategic relationships and opportunities with key vendors: act as an ambassador for Backcountry and serve as the eyes and ears for the rest of the team
• Work closely with Planning Manager to develop and manage annual/quarterly revenue, buying and receipt budgets
• Develop an annual/seasonal selling calendar with Marketing to highlight key products, categories and promotions, emphasizing unique and differentiated stories
• Oversee the flow of inventory in order to maximize potential sales while being mindful of the absolute necessity of quick inventory turns
• Coordinate with the visual merchandising team to curate product stories, optimize taxonomy/sortation and implement cross sells to drive sales
• Oversee Retail Store assortments and work closely with store teams to ensure sell through and assortment
• Partner with content to ensure to define and uphold category content standards and ensure time site metrics are being met
• Advocate for the brand’s mission and outdoor community values through thoughtful product curation and partnerships
• Negotiate pricing, terms and allowances with vendors. Opportunities to build gross margin through re-structuring of vendor programs and seeking out key buys and closeouts should be pursued and communicated

Preferred Qualifications

• Personal involvement or passion in outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, skiing, or biking. Is a plus.