Divisional Vice President, Merchandise Planning - Footwear and Apparel

Overview

This job contributes to REI’s success by setting the strategic vision and supporting creation of the merch financial plan for product for the enterprise, aligning with merchandising leadership and finance. This person will play a key role in delivering the co op’s footwear and apparel strategy in close partnership with the Vice President of Merchandising. Further, they will play an important leadership role in driving our Merchandise Planning Transformation (MPT) initiative with the goal of modernizing our approach to merchandise planning. Reporting to the Vice President of Planning & Inventory Management, this leader has direct supervision over Director’s of Planning and a team of 25 for $2+ billion in annual revenue business.

This leader works closely with the merchandising leadership team to set direction and priorities for the merchandising division that support REI’s membership, customer and activity goals. This leader collaborates with stores, digital, supply chain, marketing, Co-op brands and FP&A to understand cross divisional business needs. Models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission.

Responsibilities and Qualifications:

• Leading the Way

As a member of the Leadership Forum, develops a deep understanding of, effectively communicates and broadly supports execution of company strategies and priorities. Translates company strategies into actionable divisional plans and executes successful delivery. Works cross-divisionally to drive execution of specific divisional and company strategies, initiatives and projects.

Strengthens retail staff’s access and connection to leadership through annual store visits and district conference calls; drives engagement and builds trust in REI’s leaders. Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.

• Supports the implementation of company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote REI key messages.

Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.

• Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements.
• Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.
• Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews.
• Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees to achieve department, company and customer results.
• Establishes and maintains visibility within the department.
• Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action.

Your Planning & Navigating Requirements

• Develops and executes long-term strategic plans aligned with the company’s overall goals

Identifies growth opportunities, market trends, and competitive positioning

• Leads all merchandise planning activities, providing strategic guidance to Merchandise Planning Directors and teams (Merchandise Planning & Co-Op Brand Planning) during pre-season planning definition and in-season adjustments
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional leadership to ensure plans are realistic and integrated
• Communicates divisional goals and expectations to cross-functional department heads
• Leads monthly and seasonal plan reviews, identifying variances and recommending course corrections
• Reviews and approves major investment requests, ensuring alignment with divisional strategy and financial guardrails as part of the OTB
• Ensures the right trade-offs are made between short-term profitability and long-term growth
• Lead cross divisional initiatives and teams across the co-op inclusive of retail, digital, marketing, supply chain and customer insights as need

Leverage expert knowledge to establish, implement and maintain best practices methodologies for merchandise planning (pre-season & in-season financial, assortment, item, location and space), forecasting & inventory management

• Provide leadership across all planning and inventory management functions concerning analysis, generation of actionable insight, promoting a data first mindset and test and learn approach

Stays current on industry best practices in merchandising planning and inventory management processes Professional Qualifications and Experience 10-15 years of Merchandising Planning experience including management, assortment planning, financial planning, item planning, location planning, inventory management (forecasting, replenishment and allocation) and analysis.

Expert Knowledge of retail, merchandising and end-to-end supply chain process in a multi-channel retail environment.

Experience implementing planning systems including change management efforts:

Experience leading and developing strategic direction for merchandising planning and inventory management processes, change management and business readiness.:

Merchandising system working knowledge and experience: with SAP, Oracle, or other ERP system preferred. Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, supply chain, analytics, or mathematics

• Builds capacity of individuals and teams through effective employee development, involvement, communication, and supervision efforts.
• Creates a strong, mutually supportive work spirit and culture where people can do their best.
• Establishes trust and inspires others.

Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.

• Delivers on commitments and holds others to same.

Champions the organization and advocates solutions in the overall Company's best interest. Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities. Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.

Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers. Fosters change in company direction. Effectively plans and executes changes.

Closing

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.

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.