Director, Product Strategy Apparel/FW - Careers

Posted Date

03-03-2023

Job ID

26966

Job Function

Product Design/Development

REI City

Seattle

REI State

Washington

REI Location

Seattle HQ

Remote Eligible

Please visit the Covid-19 Hiring Updates before applying

What's cool about this job

This job contributes to REI’s success by developing and executing multi-year brand and product strategies to drive market share and profitable growth for REI’s private brands. This position leverages competitive market intelligence to develop assortment strategies and plans for all brands and product categories, in collaboration with Merchandising, to deliver sales, margin and in-stock goals; guides initial concept development with Design and ensures integrity of line plan execution; works with Operations and Design to ensure assortments meet margin requirements. This position collaborates with Merchandising, Marketing, Retail, Digital Retail and Public Affairs to ensure cohesive, highly effective presentation of product and brand stories through marketing activities, visual merchandising and product training.

Leading the Way

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.
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 in order to achieve department, company and customer results.
Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action.

Your Planning & Navigating Requirements

With DVP Product Strategy, develops and executes multi-year brand and product strategies to drive private brands growth and profitability for assigned brands and product categories; influences and assimilates key constituents’ (Merchandising, Marketing, Retail, Digital Retail and Public Affairs) strategic plans and priorities to drive alignment and results.
In collaboration with Merchandising, leverages competitive market intelligence to develop and execute assortment strategies and plans for assigned brands and product categories; ensures cohesiveness across categories and effective lifecycle management; ensures assortments meet margin requirements; guides concept development with Design and ensures integrity of line plan execution; manages lifecycle management.
Develops deep market knowledge (competitive set, industry, product, etc.) to identify and exploit trends.
Drives product process from ideation to delivery; creates and ensures timely execution of product development calendars across functions.
Partners with Merchandising and planning function to create sales plans and other financial performance goals; monitors, manages and reports out on financial performance, trends and market conditions.
Leverages customer insights to develop brand strategies, product positioning and benefits framework; aligns brand and product strategies with targeted customer segments.
Collaborates with Marketing, Merchandising and Design to ensure integrity of brand vision, identity and positioning across multiple brands and product lines; collaborates with Marketing on packaging and collateral.
Collaborates with Merchandising and Marketing on development of seasonal marketing strategies and promotional activities to increase private brands’ value, build brand equity and drive profitability.
Builds bench strength and succession plans to support long-term business needs.

Bring your passion and expertise

10+ years professional experience in merchandising and product management roles with a proven track record of success building brands; broad industry and global market knowledge
5+ years management experience and demonstrated success leading focused on merchandising and product management
Experience and deep understanding of apparel/gear design, merchandising, product development, assortment planning, manufacturing, global supply chain operations and retail distribution channels.
Demonstrated success in go-to-market-driven environment, and leading brand and product strategies from concept to market on a global scale.
Strong brand and product acumen, aesthetic and passion, including exceptional trend- spotting skills; proven track record of insightfully translating target customer, competitive environment and market trends into business success.
Proven experience and financial acumen in forecasting, sales planning, margin/profit achievement and budget management.
Strong collaboration, communication and presentation skills to effectively drive vision and strategy; builds constructive organizational relationships.
Extensive direct or collaborative experience and knowledge of marketing, communication and sales channel tools and messaging to drive brand awareness, sales and profitability.
Able to balance divisional and co-op needs and priorities in decision-making; makes decisions in a manner consistent with REI’s values and ethics.
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.

REI hires, trains, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We remain deeply committed to making the Co-op a place where everyone can feel safe and be themselves. Join us.

#LI-CM1

At REI we offer an enviable work environment that Fortune Magazine has recognized on the "100 Best Places to Work" list since the award's inception – 23 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place.

With more than 160 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 15,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more.

REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posting Range

$137500 - $233900 per year