Director of Merchandising Footwear
Apply NowTitle: Director of Merchandising Footwear
Company Description: Juniors Apparel Company
Location: New York, New York
Salary: $120,000-$150,000
*Salary is commensurate with experience and is an estimated range provided by JBC*
Responsibilities:
- Category Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive merchandising strategy for the footwear category, aligned with overall business objectives and market trends.
- Product Assortment: Curate a diverse and compelling assortment of footwear styles that resonate with our target demographic, ensuring a balance of fashion-forward designs and core essentials.
- Seasonal Planning: Lead the seasonal planning process for footwear, including assortment planning, forecasting, and inventory management to optimize sales and minimize excess inventory.
- Vendor Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable terms and pricing agreements to ensure competitive product offerings and maximize margins.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with design, product development, and marketing teams to align on product vision, messaging, and go-to-market strategies.
- Market Analysis: Conduct regular market analysis and competitive benchmarking to identify emerging trends, consumer preferences, and opportunities for growth within the footwear category.
- Financial Performance: Drive financial performance for the footwear category, monitoring sales performance, margins, and profitability, and implementing strategies to achieve revenue targets.
- Team Leadership: Provide leadership and mentorship to the merchandising team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in merchandising within the footwear industry, preferably in a fast fashion or retail environment.
- Strong understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape within the footwear category.
- Proven track record of driving sales growth and achieving financial targets.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and insights to inform merchandising decisions.
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with a creative mindset and a passion for fashion and footwear.
- Leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team towards common goals.