Divisional Merchandise Manager - Men's Bottoms

POSITION TITLE

Divisional Merchandise Manager

VP of Men’s Merchandising

Merchandise Managers + Merchants

Direct the merchandise assortments and promotional strategies for a profitable Men’s Omni Channel business; conceptualize and direct the product life cycle from design through Customer purchase. Responsible for the overall management of a merchant team: including supervision, mentoring, training, hiring and performance management. Maximize profit margin and meet financial goals while partnering with internal departments (i.e. Design, Planning, Marketing) to create effective business strategies.

• Develop a merchandise strategy that is Brand focused
• Create forward looking plans/priorities/direction for Men’s division
• Provide inspiration to the Design and Merchandise Teams in order to be a fashion leader for the AE Customer
• Work closely with Design team to interpret and forecast trends for Men’s Bottoms division
• Collaborate with Design and Production to make appropriate and timely decisions to execute deliveries to scheduled floorsets
• Lead team through divisional strategies and plans that presents a single vision at point-of-sale
• Develop a Team of promo table professionals who can meet the future needs of the business
• Champion a Team environment that cross functionally comes to a collaborative result:
  Planning/Inventory Planning, Design, Sourcing/Production and Merchandising
• Provide direction to business partners in order to maximize business/profitability opportunities
• Initiate suggestions and ideas to improve the business
• Manage the daily, weekly, monthly reorganization of priorities in order to maintain control of the business and maximize profits

• Design
• Production
• Merchandise & Inventory Planning
• Business Strategies
• Marketing
• Site Merchandising

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent required.
• 10+ years prior buying experience from a specialty retailer.
• 6+ years experience in a leadership role.
• Prior Merchandising experience in Men’s apparel/bottoms preferred.
• Ability to manage a cross functional team including a Merchandising team.
• Prioritizes development of people and team and inclusively motivates and challenges direct reports to hit their highest potential.
• Aggressive and passionate individual will be most successful in this and future roles.
• Keen sense of fashion exhibited through personal taste.
• Understanding of aspirational labels and how to interpret their seasonal stories/messages for the AE Men’s customer both domestically and internationally.
• Excellent analytical and creative skills to challenge the planning and design sides of the organization.
• Demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy (coolness and composure under strain, confidence without arrogance).
• Risk Taker - Carefully considers risk/reward, ready to try new ways of doing things to improve learning.
• Forward Thinking/Innovative – Not satisfied with the status quo, ahead of the times, advanced views, creating something like nothing done or experienced before.
• Persuasive - Able to motivate others through the appropriate use of interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of a product, service, or idea.
• Strategic – Possesses the ability to conceptualize and understand risks facing a business as well as the ability to create a strategy surrounding a specific opportunity. Build creative solutions and plans that meet objectives and maximize impact.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Travel is required, including the potential for international travel.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills and ability to work well within a team.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please .
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.