Shanghai, China
Sr. Merchandising Manager, WJA
Job Description
Financial
• Works closely with Central and Local merchandising, planning, division, and distribution partners to develop and manage financial plans.
• Develops financial objectives (revenue & margins) for the team that focuses on category and brand growth and profitability.
• Delivers WJA assortment sales, gross margin, and turnover performance to plan.
• Works with Central Planning to monitor overall inventory levels to plan and forecast.
• Identifies and evaluates sales and gross margin opportunities at the department level.
Develop Category and Assortment Strategy
• Interprets trends appropriate to Chinese and local consumers.
• Develops and communicates an inspired vision and strategy for merchandise departments.
• Leads the merchandise team in formulating an assortment strategy that is consistent with overall business strategy.
• Defines and leads the development and execution of the key business drivers (key brands, items, and stores).
• Manages the proper execution of the merchandise strategy at the division and location level.
• Drives and executes the brands' floor space planning and allocation for all key locations.
• Develops brand exclusives and promotional and CRM strategies.
• Works closely with the Team partners to ensure they are aligned with the merchandise strategy and executing appropriately.
• Evaluates ongoing performance with Merchandising Director, brand partners, planning, division, and distribution merchandising team and take action as appropriate.
• Monitors performance on new developed products, determines further opportunities based on results.
• Selects/deletes assortments as appropriate.
Brand Management
• Identifies and develops emerging brands for the core customers.
• Develops 3-year category (brand) strategies and financial plans as required.
• Develops an assortment strategy for products that are exclusive to DFS or have limited distribution.
• Promotes a "win-win" approach with all key brand partners.
• Maximizes key brands value proposition by working closely with brands and communicating strategic customer needs.
• Drives decision-making and problem solving on brand partner issues.
People Development
• Encourages and supports the development of our talented people.
• Identifies, recruits, and develops the WJA merchant team.
• Continuously stretches the team to perform at higher level.
• Manages the overall performance of all team members.
Division Partner Relations
• Develops and maintains effective working partnership with division, while ensuring divisions execute category strategy appropriately.
• Drives decision-making and problem solving on the merchandise issues at the division and local level.
• Ensures team results, relationships and processes are aligned with DFS mission and values.
• Ensures efficiency and effectiveness of merchandising work processes.
Key Requirements
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred.
• 8+ years in merchandising required.
• Financial and analytical merchandising with a background in buying and/or planning required.
• Negotiation experience required.
• Finished jewelry product development and manufacturing preferred.
• Luxury market experience preferred.
• International business experience preferred.
• GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG) preferred
Critical knowledge & skills including tools, software applications, language, etc.
• Able to manage effectively in ambiguous work situations and lead change effort required.
• Product development experience preferred.
• Leadership experience in managing team preferred.
• Able to travel up to 30% of the year required.
• Microsoft Office required.
Other Qualifications / Core Competencies
• Building Effective Teams
• Comfort Around Top Management
• Conflict Management
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Developing Direct Reports
• Directing Others
• Innovation Management
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Negotiating
• Presentation Skills