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