Contractors’ Warehouse —
DIV MERCHANDISE MANAGER

Responsible for setting the merchandising strategy and objectives for a category/categories of merchandise. The Divisional Merchandise Manager influences and drives the overall performance of several categories/classes/subclasses and is responsible for the financial performance of the business including setting sales targets, setting pricing strategies, and sourcing product. This includes deciding assortment strategy from business performance review and guiding marketing efforts with suppliers. As well as, designing supplier management strategy to meet business needs and build long term strategic partnerships for the business. The Divisional Merchandise Manager is responsible for managing all of the merchandising activity in their assigned category.

Key Responsibilities:

• 40% Merchandising Strategy and Long Term Planning: Guides department performance by analyzing tradeoffs across individual merchant agendas to execute overall strategy. This position serves as the primary decision maker in for several categories; responsible for driving the merchandising strategy across multiple Merchants.
• 40% People Management: Provides leadership to a team of merchants within a functional unit. Manages and reviews decisions made by merchants and senior merchants. Provides guidance for merchants while developing proactive plans and thinking through potential problems.
• 5% Succession Planning and Training: Delivers consistent feedback on merchant performance. Acts as the project champion and helps set the overall direction and defines the measures of success.
• 5% Special Projects: Responsible for key projects impacting the respective category/class/subclass.
• 10% Vendor Relationship Management: Participates in regular meetings with vendors to focus on strategic 2-3 year outlook. Addresses vendor relationship management issues as they arise.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• Typically reports to Merchandising Vice President
• Full responsibility for direct supervision of the work activities of category Merchants, Senior Merchants, and Associate Merchants. Makes recommendations concerning selection, termination, performance appraisal and professional development

Travel Requirements:

• Typically requires overnight travel 5% to 20% of the time.

Physical Requirements:

• Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

Working Conditions:

• Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be eighteen years of age or older.
• Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or related field of study
• Management experience in a retail environment
• Proven experience in merchandising execution, visual presentation, new concepts, inventory management, channel management, and supplier management.
• Proven ability to manage large scale projects in a complex environment
• Proven proficiency in both a brick and mortar and online retail environment
• Experience managing several hundred vendors simultaneously
• Experience with managing regional and national suppliers. Ability to manage sales typically in excess of $2B. Experience managing a business (financial, operational, process, people, technology etc).

Minimum Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma and/or GED.

Preferred Education:

• No additional education

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• 10

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

• No additional years of experience

Minimum Leadership Experience:

• None

Preferred Leadership Experience:

• None

Certifications:

• None

Competencies:

• Advanced understanding of internal and environmental sales drivers
• Understanding of logistics and supply chain processes
• Strong people management skills and leadership ability
• Merchandising and retail planning expertise
• Strong analytical skills
• Expert communication and negotiation skills
• Project execution skills; ability to negotiate pricing terms, co-op and rebate etc
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant products to make purchasing decisions
• Ability and willingness to work in a highly cross-functional environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Specialized with Excel