Position Overview:

The Merchandising Director is responsible for the successful development, communication and execution of Merchandising goals and strategic categories for Fendi, Na. Reporting to the Vice President, GMM the Merchandising Director will set the buying vision and its execution to meet and exceed financial goals and client expectations. The Merchandising Director inspires a customer-focused, innovative, and team-oriented approach, sharing key learnings and driving initiatives across the business for the Us, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development and execution of seasonal strategic assortments and OTB plans by category in accordance with overall business strategies and financial plans
  • Own the product assortment strategy for multiple countries and channels, stores and online for Fendi Americas
  • Utilize market expertise to optimize product assortments and buy quantities by addressing local market needs and product segmentation; develop deep market knowledge through feedback from stores, CRM data, client profile, and client feedback
  • Analyze selling trends and react by initiating reorders and managing strategic inventory transfers; travel to key markets as needed to ensure business needs are identified and addressed
  • Present assortment to senior management for approval by developing presentation structure and content, and ensuring appropriate analysis is completed

• Develop, communicate and drive Fendi Americas omni long range and seasonal business strategies that meet or exceed financial goals and customer expectations
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify and maximize opportunities across the business
  • Partner with the Store Planning, Retail, Supply Chain and Visual Merchandising teams to maximize sales by category through effective and efficient store zoning; ensure consistent inventory management by forecasting sales and ensuring proper inventory levels to achieve sales plans and sell through targets
  • Deliver consistent qualitative and quantitative feedback to Planning and Global Merchandising teams
  • Foster positive relationships with retail store leadership to gain insight into product needs and consumer reactions to assortment
  • Partner with the Supply Chain and Visual Merchandising team to ensure proper delivery timing and execution of planned visual display
  • Partner with the CRM team for client analysis to ensure the client profiles are aligned with the larger assortment strategy
  • Make recommendations to identify and address store training, recruitment, and productivity opportunities in partnership with Human Resources & Retail Leadership
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders with a consultative and collaborative style that allows for influence without authority

• Manage yearly calendar to communicate and align key activities for merchandising, store planning, events, CRM initiatives, and other activities as needed
• Lead and develop the Merchandising team and identify high-potential talents within the organization
  • Attract and coach a team of merchants to drive both revenue and personal development success
  • Elevate Merchant competencies, capabilities, and commercial acumen

Additional Information

Job Skills, Requirements & Attributes:

• 7+ years of progressive Merchandising leadership experience in luxury fashion, with experience managing multiple product categories preferred
• Expert ability to interpret large quantities of complex and ambiguous data to build business cases, project trends and action findings
• Superior taste level with keen understanding of the luxury goods landscape and client
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and communication skills
• Goal-oriented self-starter with a strong drive for results
• Agile and adaptable – comfortable taking initiative in an entrepreneurial environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to work in a team environment and build relationships with cross-functional partners
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to work nights and weekends from time to time as needed
• Regular international and domestic travel – up to 50% as needed
• Foreign language skill a plus