Responsibilities:
- Create assortment strategies and partner with Category Planning Manager to develop initial sales forecast for product category based on corporate and specialty shop strategic objectives; financial, market and industry trends; item and vendor performance (sales, margin, markdowns, quality and in-stocks).
- Build compelling assortments that meet the needs of our target customers by considering product attributes, intended end use, activity levels, pricing ladder, REI Brand Frame and market trends.
- Reconcile style plan and Marketing continuities with financial and space plan at class and departmental level.
- Work with Visual Merchandising on product presentation issues and opportunities.
- Communicate final assortment and department direction to other stakeholders within the company, such as the departmental teams, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Digital and Retail. Include information about cost, terms, price, distribution and marketing as needed.
- Build and maintain relationships with vendors to ensure profitability.
- Negotiate with vendors for best costs, terms, discounts, freight, co-op and marketing support.
- Continually seek out new vendors and innovative product opportunities.
- Integrate Vendor Collaboration into negotiations regarding vendor marketing fund agreements with product vendors and follow up on collection as required
Business Acumen and Planning
- Understand and apply Specialty Shop product strategy with a specific focus on Road Run FW products
- Contribute to the development of short- and long-term specialty shop strategic and business plans.
- Know and monitor competitive, specialty shop and industry trends around the activity of Run and the Run consumer
Operational
- Manages workflow and timeline of category team (includes planning and replenishment)
- Collaborates with visual merchandising and digital teams to bring category strategy to life
- Works closely with Digital Merchandising team to maximize digital selling opportunities
- Maintains vendor MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) policy information
Qualifications
- 3+ years merchandising experience with 4 year college degree or equivalent experience
- PC proficiency in Microsoft
- Understanding and effective execution of merchandising math principles: initial mark-up, gross margin, markdowns, shrink, damages, inventory turnover, open-to-buy.
- Familiarity and interest in REI products, activities and services.
- Actively participates and collaborates with others on one’s own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals.
- Flexible in one’s viewpoints and positions in order to support the direction taken by others at REI.
- Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
Closing:
Pay Transparency
We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.
REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off. Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.
Base Pay Range: USD $83,700.00 - USD $134,000.00 /Yr.