Merchandising Manager

JOB PURPOSE: Manage department effectively by displaying leadership qualities.

Role Modeling Leadership
Supervising Associates
Staffing Department and Developing Associates
Managing Merchandise
Selling
ESSENTIAL JOB RESULTS:

Leadership Responsibilities
1. SUPERVISE AND DIRECT by
directly supervising associates at work; insuring adherence to laws, regulations and Stein Mart?s policies and procedures; conducting New Hire Orientation, Sales Training and ongoing training and development of associates.

2. MOTIVATE DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATES by
encouraging cooperation within and between departments to increase productivity; creating good team spirit; appealing to associates to increase their interest and motivation; emphasizing the importance of reaching work objectives to meet deadlines.

3. PROVIDE INFORMATION AND MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION by
giving constructive feedback both verbally and in writing to associates; informing associates about company and store policies; providing ongoing communication to the store management team; giving accurate information about issues as necessary to: Store Management, Corporate Buyers, Receiving, Cash Office and Loss Prevention.

4. DEVELOP EFFECTIVE SELECTION AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SKILLS by
completing the Behavioral Interviewing Program to learn how to conduct a legal and effective interview; participating in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, orienting and training employees.

5. DISCIPLINE AND HANDLE DISPUTES WITHIN DEPARTMENT by
listening to associate?s issues and resolving disputes; pointing out standards of work performance that need improving and providing constructive feedback; clarifying discrepancies on policies and procedures; giving verbal warnings in order to correct behavior; issuing formal warnings (in conjunction with the Store Manager).

Managing Merchandise and Selling Responsibilities
6. MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING by
becoming knowledgeable of Stein Mart?s advertising philosophy, sales, promotions and MGM?s; creatively placing merchandise for maximum appeal; following written and verbal instructions to assure that appropriate visual displays, merchandise and signs are set to publicize special sales and events.


7. ENSURE HIGH QUALITY FLOOR MAINTENANCE by
placing signs and setting up for sales events; placing new merchandise; delegating and assisting with daily housekeeping tasks.

8. SELLING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE by
providing sales coverage and customer service on the selling floor; modeling superior sales and customer service techniques for associates; answering inquiries verbally about products or services.

Planning Responsibilities
9. PREPARE SHORT TERM PLANS TO REACH OBJECTIVES by
planning a logical sequence of events or tasks, including setting priorities to reach objectives such as: preparing for promotions, holiday seasons, special sales and reaching department and store sale?s goals.

10. MAINTAIN OPTIMUM DEPARTMENT STAFFING by
contributing to the department schedule and the Work Force Management System by providing information on associate?s permanent and temporary availability; following up on work flow results.

11. IMPLEMENT AND COORDINATE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES by
assigning/delegating tasks to associates; prioritizing and allocating resources (people, materials) to reach department goals; arranging formal events such as, promotions for holidays and special sales.


BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience: High school graduate or equivalent (GED). 2 to 4 years applicable retail work experience, including a minimum of 1 year supervisory experience.

Technical Skills: Fashion merchandising skills, numeric reasoning to include proficiency in: adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and calculating percentages.

Behavioral Attributes: Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Should exhibit a strong interest in working with people. Demonstrated ability to assume a leadership role in a supervisory capacity. Results oriented; willingness to follow through, make informed decisions, complete tasks and problem-solve.

Physical Requirements: Moderate physical effort required. Standing and walking will constitute 95% of a work shift. Stooping and lifting various merchandise contents of up to 20 lbs. or more on an as needed basis.

Preferred: Computer keyboard knowledge and experience using a computer in a windows environment.