Manager, New Goods & Merchandising

About the Role:

This hands-on position reports to the Senior Manager of Accounting and New Goods, and is responsible for the planning and execution of GISA’s New Goods program, including the purchase, warehousing, distribution, merchandising, sales performance, and analysis of merchandise sales.   This position will provide the leadership, expertise, and supervision necessary to achieve inventory, sales, and cost objectives, and the Manager will create and champion a growth-minded culture that embodies GISA’s values.   The Manager will work collaboratively with retail store Managers to train store employees and to ensure that merchandising standards are being followed. The New Goods Manager maintains responsibility for staffing the New Goods department, including supervision, hiring, and termination of personnel.   The Manager will build strong working relationships with new and existing vendors and will assist with purchasing of New Goods merchandise. Travel required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED.   Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum of five years’ management experience or related activities in retail sales and merchandising.  
• Strong visual merchandising skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Basic to intermediate skills in a variety of software applications, including Excel.
• Must be able to travel out of state for three to four days at a time five to six times per year.
• Must have a current Arizona driver’s license and auto insurance and an acceptable driving record in accordance with standards set by our vehicle insurance company.
• Must be able to visit all Goodwill sites on a regular basis.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card.  
• Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds and be able to stand for long periods at a time; bend, reach and stretch repeatedly during a shift.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all individuals.
• Must exhibit a high level of integrity and business ethics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field.
• 5 years supervisory experience in the retail trade industry, specifically in managing new product launches.
• Familiarity with inventory management systems and sales analytics tools.
• Experience and proficiency with databases and Microsoft office products such as excel, outlook, etc.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate Company Values at all times.
• Create and maintain a positive, growth-minded culture
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize product selection, pricing, distribution, and retail presentation to maximize sales and profitability.
• Perform regular store visits and work collaboratively with Store Managers to build engagement at the store level leading to consistent achievement of New Goods revenue goals. 
• Develop and maintain a New Goods training manual for stores.
• Assist Sr. New Goods Manager on buying trips.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors.
• Supervise New Goods Associates and Lead in their daily activities and assist with the completion of their duties as required.
• Manage all New Goods warehouse processes and ensures that weekly goals are achieved in a timely manner.
• Complete monthly G&Os with all direct reports.
• Maintain database of all New Goods items and inventory levels and respond to store inquiries concerning pricing.
• Maintain appropriate levels of retail store supplies inventories and manage monthly distribution of same. 
• Follow all policies and procedures and ensure understanding and compliance of established policies and procedures by all assigned employees.
• Ensure all safety rules are adhered to and the general upkeep of your area meets the standards of Company and report accidents or injuries immediately.

Skills:

The required skills for this position are excellent communication skills which are necessary for collaborating with suppliers, vendors, and internal teams to meet New Goods Department revenue goals. Organizational skills are crucial for managing multiple product introductions simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail. Preferred skills, such as familiarity with inventory management systems, enhance the ability to track product performance and optimize stock levels. Overall, a combination of these skills will enable the New Goods Manager to effectively drive the success of new product offerings in the retail environment.