Merchandising & Buying Manager, Outlets

Summary Description:

This position is responsible for leading the merchandising and buying function for Lacoste product for the Outlets department. This individual will partner with the Snr Director of Buying and Merchandising, to identify market trends and set the merchandising and buying strategy for Outlets. In conjunction with this, they will be working with the central product team to ensure their product needs are being met for the region. The merchandising manager will be responsible for developing and driving appropriate assortments Outlets, for all product categories, ensuring brand & commercial goals and objectives are met through historical analysis, market trends, and the specific needs of our Lacoste customer in the U.S, Canada & Mexico.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• In partnership with the Snr Director of Buying and Merchandising, set product & buying strategy for our first choice and second choice distributions to realize brand goals and objectives.
• All retail merchandising and buying accountability for the categories of the Outlet business for all product categories.
• Collaborate closely with the central product team to create value engineered, margin product for this channel with the goal to enhance brand & customer experience. Productivity & profitability will also be the main KPIs.
• Work in close partnership with planning, visual merchandising, and retail team to manage in-season business performance, as well as coordinate in advance for each seasonal delivery.
• Focus on future of business by identifying market trends, assortment opportunities, and understanding the Lacoste customer.
• Own Gross Margin and Unit Price evolution for the Outlet channel. Partner with Panning team to drive Net Margin & inventory turn.
• Partner with the planning team regarding buying strategy and ensuring financial viability and excellence in execution.
• Set RRPs in line with product architecture goals. Own set up and maintenance.
• Liaise with production, operations, supply chain, as well as planning and allocation to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise.
• Communicate & collaborate with visual team to optimize product investments on store sales floor.
• Partner with team to run analysis and prepare selling hindsight’s on weekly, monthly, quarterly, seasonal basis to help identify opportunities in the assortment & learnings for the future

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Proven success in Outlet Merchandising/Buying roles and managing assortments for a branded retail organization
• 8 years’ experience in merchandising/buying role in outlets/ off price channel
• Experience in market & category leadership
• Strong analytical and retail math skills
• Strong communications, time management and presentation skills.
• A critical thinker who drives solutions
• Results and solutions-oriented leader
• Exhibits strong leadership skills with ability to motivate colleagues and create a sense of urgency
• Flexible team player, ability to work collaboratively across all departments

Core Values and Traits:

Play as One Team:

• Showing respect towards everyone
• Commitment for the team’s work and decisions

Play with Elegance:

• Striving for excellence
• Treating others with fair play and humility

Play by Daring:

• Having the courage to speak up, experiment and take initiative
• To explore new opportunities

Play with Tenacity:

• Constantly seek continuous improvement
• Learning from our failures

* This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It can be changed orally or in writing at any time by the discretion of management. We as Lacoste associates must always ensure that all functions of our position are represented with our core values being: Accountable, Audacious, Collaborative, and Respectful.