Sr. Director, Merchandising

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Provides leadership, guidance, and management to a team of Category Managers and Assistant Category Managers that work cross‑functionally with the Inventory Management, Marketing, and Visual Design teams. Responsibilities include but not limited to the end‑to‑end category P&L, managing to interpret and execute the company’s vision of presenting and driving a category strategy across our Enterprise brands and channels (Musicians Friend, Guitar Center, M123) as well as authority to formulate, affect, interpret, or implement management policies or operating practices.

• Develop category‑specific in‑store & online merchandising (including price, promotion, and product marketing)
• Build deeply integrated strategic relationships with the vendor community.
• Meet with key internal stakeholders to review prior performance and plan upcoming merchandising initiatives.
• Maximize in‑store layout for new and existing stores (i.e. every aspect of categories within the store) via diligent SKU‑specific planogramming.
• Store visits, locally and remotely, to do in‑store reviews. Field work would include store planogram resets and assembly of new merchandising fixtures.
• Oversee all category‑specific in‑store and online marketing and promotional support.
• Review performance of the business, making necessary assortment updates.
• Involved in planning long‑ or short‑term business objectives.
• Represent the company in handling complaints, arbitrating disputes or resolving grievances.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree (or 4 years of equivalent work experience), preferably in Business
• Analytical Skills
  :
  Explores information, data, reports, and or items in order to extract meaningful insights, which can be used to better understand and improve business performance. Able to understand marketing data and analysis and develop campaign recommendations and optimizations from these insights.
• Business Acumen
  :
  Understands how the business works including key business drivers, important company strategies, competition, and financial data impacting the department/organization. Makes business decisions that support financial targets.
• Collaboration
  :
  Able to develop cooperation and teamwork while participating in and leading groups, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties. Proven cross‑functional team participation capabilities. Able to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to accomplish goals.

The Guitar Center Company embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. Our mission is to develop and nurture lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non‑musicians alike to experience the joy that comes from creating music. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.

The Guitar Center Company operates through several business divisions. Guitar Center is the world’s largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, DJ, and lighting equipment, with more than 290 stores across the United States. 2014 marked the milestone 50th anniversary of the Guitar Center Company as the organization continues to help people make music from coast to coast.

E‑Commerce brands Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend and WWBW offer online sales of a broad selection of music products. The Music & Arts division operates more than 220 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, and students since 1952. AVDG and GCPro headline the enterprise audio‑visual integration business, delivering a best‑in‑class commercial and residential customer experience.

Pay Rate: $215,000–$250,000 depending on background and experience.

This position is eligible to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on Company performance. The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of…