Merchandise Manager

The Stride Rite Corporation is looking for a Merchandise Manager who will manage the Merchandising efforts for a portion of the line. This includes forecasting, production planning, SKU productivity and shipment analysis to support the ongoing sales of the business.

 

Responsibilities include:

? Accurately provides short and long term product forecasts utilizing trends, sales force forecasts, and competitive information and market conditions to minimize product obsolescence.

? Places monthly factory buys based on forecasts while managing risk based upon forecast confidence level.

? Schedules long term production to allow our Sourcing partners to plan manufacturing capacities and material commitments.

? Continuously monitors booking and shipping trends against factory buys and makes necessary adjustments to factory purchase order dates, styles and/or sizes.

? Manage inventory flow to meet inventory turn goals.

? Updates appropriate personnel with product availability information to align customer expectations with realistic ship dates.

? Performs as an integral member of the product team.  Provides SKU/sales analysis to the Team. Keeps the Team up to date on current bookings and shipments to aid in the product development process.

? Partners with sales management and key retailers on account visits, attends pre line meetings for information collection and product delivery advice.

? Forms strategic relationships with Sales Reps for early feedback regarding product shipments and/or cancellations.

? Responsible for managing and developing subordinates.

 

This individual must have a Bachelors degree in Business or equivalent, with 5+ years of relevant work experience.  The ideal candidate has experience with buying, analysis, and customer service.  A strong aptitude for working with numbers is essential.  The successful candidate must be highly organized and self motivated.  This individual must be able to work well in a dynamic, fast paced environment.  He/she must demonstrate flexibility and juggle multiple priorities while still achieving agreed upon deadlines.  The Merchandise Manager must have the confidence to challenge and in the end embrace the consensus of the team.  This individual is a key resource for statistical information which is necessary to support the team and the Sales Force.  Strong PC skills including Excel spreadsheet and Word, are a must.

 

The Merchandising Manager anticipates problems, generates multiple alternatives and chooses the solution that best serves the Customer and the Corporation. The ability to assess the underlying issue(s) and make preventative changes is important in this role.  This individual must be comfortable seeking opinions from individuals or teams.  The Merchandising Manager must be able to document the facts in an easily understood format, and present them clearly.