Divisional Merchandising Manager - Johnston & Murphy

The Ideal Candidate

As the Divisional Merchandising Manager (DMM), you will be responsible for leading the planning, buying and allocation functions for the Merchandising team with the goal of delivering positive financial results. Due to the highly collaborative nature of our vertical business model, the DMM and Merchandising team works closely with all functional areas including: Product Design & Development, Sourcing, Store Operations, Wholesale and Marketing to execute product and pricing strategies. 

As a leader of the Merchandising team, a strong understanding of the brand and our customer will be key when making decisions that shape the future of the company. An adaptive leadership style and enthusiasm for mentoring is integral to your success as a DMM and the team. In addition to partnerships within the home office, as the DMM you will be a point person for communication with our store teams involving merchandising topics.

How You Will Make an Impact

Planning Responsibilities

• Build and update division sales, inventory and profitability forecasts and plans by month.  
• Control division level seasonal open-to-buy plans and inventory levels.
• Oversee forecasting process for inventory management.
• Strong analytical skills with an ability to interpret and transform data into action plans.
• Lead pricing strategy for initial mark-ups, retail price points, sales promotions, clearance markdowns as well as the timing of changes.
• Manage the monthly markdown budget to maximize sales through strategic repricing by collection or style.

Allocation Responsibilities

• Approve store assortment plans based on store selling and capacities.
• Review and coordinate initial distribution plans by store to maximize sales and inventory utilization.
• Oversee replenishment models by store with the merchandisers to maximize sales and inventory utilization.
• Coordinate clearance consolidation plans at the end of each season. 
• Provide feedback to the sourcing and distribution center teams to manage order needs and logistics of deliveries to stores.

Buying Responsibilities

• Bring a strong product point of view based on our brand profile and knowledge of consumer.
• Collaborate with Product Design & Development on the product line assortment from concept to completion inclusive of understanding the importance of materials, patterns, construction, price points and end-use implications.
• Evaluate assortment plans for optimal SKU quantities by category (including breadth and depth) based on sales analysis.
• Monitor and analyze selling reports with the merchandisers to take actions based on sales performance.
• Be proactive with available inventory in the distribution center to take advantage of promotional or closeout opportunities to minimize markdown risks.
• Partner with marketing team to promote product launches, fixture or signage needs for assortment changes or upcoming clearance events.
• Determine products for visual presentations to drive traffic and sales through the use of window displays and product placement within the store.
• Coordinate buying efforts with wholesale team and product development teams.
• Communicate selling information and recaps to the product line managers for future development needs and opportunities.
• Understand and study market competitors and trends.

Experience and Skills You'll Need to Have

• 8 years of retail buying and/or planning experience
• 4 years of demonstrated experience managing a team
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Experience in Ecommerce a plus.
• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of retail metrics
• Self-motivated decision maker
• Ability to prioritize merchandising tasks and objectives in a fast-paced environment 
• Microsoft Excel skills and agility to learn and utilize multiple merchandising systems
• Strong communication skills
• Limited travel to stores and select menswear shows

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