Vice President, Merchandising

The VP, Merchandising is responsible for the overall strategy and execution of product and resource allocation across divisions. This role requires a leader who can showcase the tried and true merchandise associated with the CB2 brand while still embracing new trends that can gain market share.

This is an on-site position based out of our Chicago, IL office.

A day in the life as Vice President, Merchandising...

• Develop and execute overall product assortment strategy to maximize sales and profits, resulting in new product offerings without departing from the core equities of the brand.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners across businesses to execute product assortment strategy effectively, from pre-season assortment development to in-season assortment management.
• Build strategic, diligent, long-term and financially sound assortment plans.
• Lead merchandising teams in the identification of trends, ideas and the interpretation of business opportunities which set us apart from the competition, while still maximizing our core customer business and grow the brand market share. Establish and maintain programs, procedures, and guidelines to ensure brand and financial objectives are achieved.
• Set strategy, vision and direction through resource allocation decisions for a significant organization or business unit.
• Direct the strategy for price levels, ranges and price architecture.
• Optimize merchandise assortment across store and e-commerce channels.
• Lead teams to analyze sales, competitive and market trends, and customer behavior to establish overall product assortment strategy.
• Oversee high-level direction and approve tactical, administrative or operational policies and resource allocation decisions to ensure achievement of objectives.
• Partner with Product Development to incorporate new product in assortment and design trends
• Partner with Sourcing to maintain gross margin and supplier relationships related to assortment strategy.
• Partner with the planning group to create periodic sales goals and manage inventory and markdown budgets.
  
  

What you’ll bring to the table…

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the function, the competitive environment, technology and the economic implications.
• Demonstrated experience in merchandising strategic planning with an outcome of successful implementation of plans and programs.
• Proven ability to negotiate and/or influence customers, vendors or leaders regarding matters of significance to the function’s operating performance.
  
  

We’d love to hear from you if you have…

• 10 years retail and leadership experience in merchandising and buying
• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree/MBA preferred
• Travel up to 25%