Director of Merchandising, Mens

Company Introduction

The La Jolla Group is a worldwide leader in the action sports apparel business segment with a fast paced, high-energy environment that is continually on the move. With prominent brands such as O’Neill, PSD Underwear, Mountain Khakis, Sol Angeles, and Hang Ten, La Jolla Group has proved to be a builder of great brands, a creator of innovative products, and a master of operational excellence.

Our team enjoys flexibility with a hybrid schedule of in-office and remote work. We offer awesome discounts on our clothing brands, early release Fridays (2:00pm), occasional employer provided lunches, year-round fun events as well as a full benefits package! We believe our employees are our strongest asset and invest in their growth by focusing on developing their strengths.

General Summary

Strong Merchant that is responsible for developing and implementing the overall Merchandising strategy for O’Neill Men’s division. A partner to cross-functional leaders, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations, and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Essential Job Functions

• Combine, market research, gap analysis and feedback to develop a compelling and actionable merchandising strategy
• Create seasonal line architecture/numeric plans
• Analyze sell in history for invest /divest strategy
• Provide insight on new business opportunities
• Coordinate initial forecast, by style, based on design and historical sales data
• Set cost targets based on pricing strategy and historical data
• Provide cross functional leadership– ensure decisions are made and design/ development process progresses
• Works closely with sales directors to learn key account business and build necessary relationships
• Lead preparation of all key seasonal checkpoint meetings: Management Review, CAD Review, Proto review, and Photo Sample Reviews
• Manage catalog creation process including pagination build, studio and location photo shoot.
• Evaluates current business processes to identify improvements and leverage infrastructure
• Build yearly development calendar by season starting with Line Arch/Numeric plans to Sales meeting and buy dates.
• Manage and maintain yearly budgets
• Encourages and maintains constant communication and feedback amongst all organizational partners
• Approve all costing and margin
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of company products services, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory requirements and practices.
• Skill in completing multiple tasks at once.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in operating office and technological equipment and software.
• Ability to communicate professionally with coworkers, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to work independently and meet managerial goals.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to organize daily activities of self and others and to work as a team player.
• Ability to problem-solve
• Strong business orientation and analytical aptitude
• Ability to work independently and manage cross functional team members
• Strong time-management and organizational skills
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• BA/BS in business, merchandising or related field
• 5+ years related project management experience
  
  

This is a Hybrid position requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in office, hybrid requirements may change due to needs of the business or department.

Physical Requirements

Seeing: Must be able to see well enough to read reports.

Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with customers, vendors and employees.

Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: Must be able to stoop or kneel to pick up products.

Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to type and use technical sources.

La Jolla Group provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification. Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, leaves of absence, and termination. La Jolla Group takes allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation seriously and will promptly investigate when such behavior is reported.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.