Merchandising Manager

Summary:

The primary goal of a Merchandise Manager is to contribute to SPR profitability through effective product, vendor, and database management.

 Location: Marietta, GA (Near Battery Center)

Standard Work Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Key responsibilities:

• Product base, within assigned product categories
• Assigned vendor relationship management
• Product and vendor database, within assigned product categories
• Assigned performance goal achievement  Project commitment date achievement

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist SPR senior management in achieving sales and profit goals.
• Investigate, analyze, develop and implement new products and /or product categories, which may be within SPR’s current or future markets.
• Perform ongoing analysis of the assigned SPR SKU and vendor base using strategy and guidelines provided by senior management.
• Form and maintain appropriate vendor relationships. 
• Assist SPR senior management with the development and implementation of vendor negotiation strategy and tactics.
• Negotiate off invoice vendor programs using strategy and tactics approved by SPR senior management.
• Negotiate vendor invoice pricing using strategy and tactics approved by SPR senior management.
• Manage the private label vendor bidding process, packaging design and product acquisition for assigned products/categories.
• Participate in the creation of department goals and the setting of action plans to achieve them. Plans will include timelines and required resources.
• Manage the Catalog Review process, within assigned categories, which includes: drop items from the current catalog, add items to the upcoming catalog, vendor information acquisition and management, and recommended page layout and design. Achieve the process commitment date.
• Manage the promotional product selection process within assigned categories for assigned publications.
• Participate in the analysis and formation of SPR pricing strategy. Manage the implementation of such strategy within assigned categories.  Interface with SPR customers as necessary.
• Occasional travel to visit vendors, customers , and participate in tradeshows
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) or equivalent; or four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience required in one or more following:

Language Ability: 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability: 

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. 
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to calculate mark up and gross profit margins.

Reasoning Ability: 

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: 

Word processing, Internet software, E-mail, Order processing, Inventory, Manufacturing software, Database software

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Indirectly supervises one employee in the Merchandising Department.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

Work Environment: 

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 
• The noise level in the environment is moderate.

Physical Demands: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee  is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds; up to 25 pounds and up to 50 pounds.
• The vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.