Sr. Director, Regional Merchandising

Job Summary

The Sr. Director, Regional Merchandising leads and executes the regional go-to-market merchandising vision, strategy, and assortment plans. As well leads the product and merchandising go to market efforts of the US outside team. This role is responsible for leading and delivering product strategy and segmentation plan, assortments that delight and inspire fans and enable the business to execute against the brand and business goals with our partners in the US.

Essential Functions

• Leads, develops, and executes the Regional Merchandising strategy plan and vision that supports long-term and in-season brand and business strategic initiatives. Drives business results and profitable product metrics in region.
• Provides go-to-market expertise and execution for the US product and merchandising integrated GTM initiatives and execution in region.
• Provides US consumer expertise to ensure strong point of view around product development around the US consumer and marketplace targets.
• Delivers a thoughtful regional, seasonal analysis that drives the global & regional briefing process by summarizing the findings of competitive market, online marketplace expertise, brick & mortar expertise.
• Engages and collaborates cross-functionally with product teams to plan and lead the creation of innovative, commercial and brand-enhancing regional assortments designed for targeted regional KEEN fans that deliver revenue, MSRP, margin, profitability, productivity, color/material guidance, construction, lifecycle targets, franchise management, channel segmentation plans, and other metrics as required. Directs regional fan and channel needs with specific inline and regionally driven styles as required by the business including but not limited to SMU's, limited editions, collaborations, exclusive product, etc.
• Drives the management of blended pricing and margin model and for the gross margin (merch margin) of the seasonal line. Works cross-functionally throughout the seasonal product process to bring a cohesive, cross merchandised, fan-focused line with compelling global and regional stories each season.
• Partners with sales management and key accounts to develop a distinctive, effective, and brand-appropriate distribution merchandising strategy by channel. Leading product and merchandising account based meetings.
• Monitors new product introductions and carryover product to ensure health of planned launch and/or lifecycle. Continuous improvement focused on SKU efficiency, margins, and global assortment alignment.
• Works with the finance department on product, unit and margin forecasts and analysis by season, category, gender, and style. Participates in long range planning and annual budget development.
• Acts as a product champion, presenting in pre-lines, sales meetings, key accounts, influencers and visiting editors as required with commercial and regional efforts.
• Provides strategic direction, mentorship, and inspiration to direct reports on the regional Merchandising team.
• Serves as a member of the US regional leadership team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Merchandising, Product, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience in merchandising, product creation and/or retail; experience in footwear preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated strong leadership experience and the ability to drive results in a fast-paced matrix environment.
• Strong knowledge of footwear landscape and consumer insights.
• Strong understanding of KEEN regional fans, competitors, trend, and market insights.
• Strong organizational, analytical and time management skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills with an ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of global and regional hybrid performance and style trends with the ability to translate into commercial concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel. Power Point, Word)
• Results orientation that is balanced between both long-term objectives and short-run performance.
• Ability to successfully communicate cross-culturally as part of a global brand and merchandising team.
• Ability to independently utilize resources to increase knowledge.
• Ability to lead and influence people in support of overarching business and category goals.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Travel Required: Yes

Percent of Time: up to 35% of the time.

Base Salary: $180,000 - $200,000 yearly
This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Why Work at KEEN: Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that's on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protectthe places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.
KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.