Vice President, Merchant Import Operations

Position Summary:

The VP, Merchant Import Operations (MIO) is an innovative leader, responsible for driving the accelerated expansion of the Direct Imports area to support the Company growth strategy with sustainable speed and agility. This strategic role involves establishing the product development/sourcing and quality testing areas within the team, as well as monitoring the forecasting and operational support teams for Direct Imports. This individual is forward thinking, able to define realistic organizational needs, long-term production and sourcing strategy, as well as project execution.

The VP MIO will drive the strategic planning for future years in partnership with the Merchant, Supply Chain, and Finance Leadership, and is responsible for risk mitigation in the product development area through vendor and geographic diversification, as well as monitoring process and improving costing through the production choices.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross functional partners to optimize the end-to-end import order process. The role is highly visible, with regular interaction with Merchandising, Planning and Supply Chain leadership and requires influential communication skills to gain support and drive action while overcoming resistance with fact-based data.
• Develop and oversee team and process for ensuring Product Quality standards and evaluation including guiding the quality approval process with the testing lab for sample submits against established standards. Coordinate with the legal team to review all samples received from vendors for compliance to standards. The ideal candidate will possess experience executing multi-year operational goals, incorporating knowledge of production trade regulations, testing protocol, product integrity, production cycle timeline, fabric and garment construction, overseeing expense.
• The VP Merchant Import Operations will lead the establishment of Product Development and Sourcing team to drive product development from conception to final execution to support Merchant Rack Vision. Develop and lead relationships with key factories as well as related operations for Import area. Ensure product quality delivers expected customer value. Identify opportunities to enhance product value proposition and leverage expansion opportunities. 
• The VP Merchant Import Operations delivers results, demonstrates urgency, and independently resolves obstacles. Identifies and prioritizes the most critical areas to drive impactful results. Communicates expectations and requirements well with both the business and technology teams to develop appropriate solutions. Proactively solves problems and effectively manages multiple competing priorities for self and team. Conducts research and analysis for identifying, evaluating, and driving strategic opportunities. Ensures processes are developed and executed in accordance with time and action deadlines. Develops, implements, and drives improvement to key performance indicators and metrics. Delivers cost productivity while improving service levels and overall performance. Collaborates and drives initiatives and strategies by providing technical expertise to support future business needs.
• Identifies opportunities to accelerate import expansion and to identify causes of obstacles and implement robust plans to address while collaborating with business partners.

Operations & Forecasting

• Lead group to identify ongoing cross functional process improvement opportunities with regard to the import order process to systemically reduce merchant time utilization away from operational and administrative responsibilities in the DI Process
• Direct process to identify opportunities to streamline the import order process, ELC calculation including duty, commissions, freight and other load factors
• Partner with Import Department, Compliance and Transportation
• Partner with Merch Process team to develop and adjust training on Direct Import merchant processes, considerations, and other requirements
• Refine forecasting process in partnership with International Transportation and Finance

Product Quality

• Define and maintain stringent quality standards for all select import products categories.
• Oversee the quality control process, including inspections, testing, and audits of suppliers.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality

Product Development

• Develop and manage the product development roadmap.
• Identify, establish and maintain relationships with international suppliers to ensure cost effective, high quality/ value products to augment the assortment and support merchant rack vision
• Negotiate favorable terms and pricing; ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations, safety standards, and ethical practices

Leadership

• Establish high performance standards, measure and manage performance to achieve those standards, with a high focus on coaching and development
• Establish an environment that empowers associates and drives their engagement in their own work and the goals of the team
• Responsible for maintaining high morale and driving productivity and accuracy, providing coaching in the moment throughout the day and regular feedback.
• Identify talent, create and deliver a high quality on-boarding experience
• Identify training gaps and development needs for the team and individual associates and work to develop and deliver appropriate training
• Hire, train, and develop team to efficiently meet the needs of the business
• Provide guidance and mentoring to staff to support professional growth

Collaborative Relationships

• Develop and maintain effective working relationship amongst members of cross-functional teams (Merchants, Supply Chain, IT, etc.)
• Demonstrate and utilize strong communication skills in interactions with internal and external business partners creating a customer centric environment
• Serve as the first point of contact for the Merchant community on order execution processes
• Develop standards for appropriate and accurate response to issues and inquiries surfaced by merchants, vendors and Merchandising Operations business partners
• Adeptly balance total Company, division, and individual goals when making decisions
• Foster an environment based on Burlington’s core values

Education and Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:

• 10+ years of operations management experience
• 15+ years of experience leading teams of 10 or more
• 5+ years of merchandising Import experience required

Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong analytical skills with bias towards fact-based problem solving, framing and decision making
• Positive leadership and team building skills including coaching, training and collaboration
• Outstanding communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to present and support a point of view to senior leadership
• Strong ability to manage through conflict and problem resolution
• Strong fact-based and intuitive decision-making skills
• Excellent organization skills and detail-orientation with the ability to multi-task prioritize and manage time
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and Excel
• Strong ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Growth mindset
• Proven leadership experience in direct imports, product quality, and product development
• Strong knowledge of international sourcing, supply chain management, and import/export regulations
• Extensive experience in developing global sourcing strategy with diversified country matrix, and risk profile analysis

Come join our team. You’re going to like it here!

You will enjoy a competitive wage, flexible hours, and an associate discount. Burlington’s benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage including life and disability insurance. Full time associates are also eligible for paid time off, paid holidays and a 401(k) plan.

We are a rapidly growing brand, and provide a variety of training and development opportunities so our associates can grow with us. Our teams work hard and have fun together! Burlington associates make a difference in the lives of customers, colleagues, and the communities where we live and work every day. Burlington Stores, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity.

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