Career Evolutions is searching for a Head of Planning and Operations, Apparel for a fast-growing global technology company headquartered in Seattle, WA. Full-time, direct-hire opportunity with compensation up to $300,000.
Job Title: Head of Planning and Operations, Apparel
Job Summary: You are a passionate leader with proven ability to create credible fashion assortments and establish a strong point of view to lead a team. You will leverage your experience and established relationships in the fashion space to build a Buying and Merchandising team that will oversee multiple brand properties. You will grow the business by initiating vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, developing promotions, and monitoring and reacting to industry trends. You will be responsible for driving units, revenue, and margin growth along with the day to day management of buying and merchandising.
You are a collaborative leader who leads by example and encourages buyers to take risks while driving accountability. You are a thoughtful, high-energy, self-starter, with strong business acumen, acute analytical skills, and the demonstrated ability to use creative thinking and innovation to solve complex problems. You thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.
Responsibilities:
Build and manage a portfolio of multiple brands.
Build product assortments that reflect the preferences of a specific consumer segment, considering price, quality, visual aesthetic, and lifestyle etc.
Negotiate from a position of strength, using data to drive negotiation targets, and think holistically about cost inputs, including product costs, accruals for damage and freight, volume discounts, etc.
Manage and develop a team of strong Product Merchants/Buyers representing multiple categories.
Aggressively grow the business by driving and implementing strategic initiatives to reach company’s financial goals.
Create business plans for new opportunities and develop and execute project plans for the launch of new features.
Develop and strengthen relationships with key supplier and supply chain partners.
Collaborate with departments across organization to improve tools and productivity.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree, MBA preferred.
10+ years of leadership experience in the e-commerce/fashion/apparel/retail/ industry building and managing a Buying and Merchandising team.
Proven track record of taking ownership and driving business performance in the fashion industry.
Experience managing a team of seasoned Buyers and/or Merchants representing multiple categories.
Demonstrated ability to successfully build the right product assortments, having experience in a leading fashion vertical or national branded retailer.
Strong product sensibility in both basic and fast-fashion segments, and ability to identify and capitalize on current trends.
Demonstrated ability to successfully lead the organization through seasonal merchandise planning and track record of executing or exceeding that plan.
Ability to understand and influence the visual merchandising process, including all marketing processes.
Proven negotiation skills and experience with vendor management.
Strong numeric and analytic aptitude.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
