Manager, Global Merchandising - Women's Lifestyle

Job Details

Description & Requirements

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in.

As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

about this team

The Merchandising team creates and executes transformative global product strategies that ensure we have the right assortment in the right place at the right time, and at the right price, to serve global guests, grow our brand and deliver on our long-term enterprise goals. We possess deep awareness and intuition of global marketplace dynamics and guest needs and use this knowledge to identify opportunities to maximize demand.

a day in the life

The Global Merchandise Manager is a seasoned product and market strategist who is accountable for working with the Director of Merchandising to build the global merchandise strategies and product line plan for the season. This requires that the Global Merchandise Manager drives the creation, management, and execution of the global product line plan (for their categories) by effectively leading their teams in collaborative work and partnerships with the Regional Merchandising, Design, Brand/Marketing and Guest Experience teams.

This person is responsible for the development of the members of their global merchandising team to deliver product needs that reflect brand consistency and regional relevance to maximize profitability and sales across product classes, key items and channels.

core responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing a team of Global Merchants who report directly to the Manager. They inspire, coach and guide their team members to develop their skills and deliver on business priorities.
• The Manager supports employee development plans and manages performance
• Accountable for defining class strategies based on short range strategy (2-3 years) and sales plan targets
• Creates global seasonal merchandise strategies and roadmap in partnership with Merchandise Director, Cross Functional Product partners and Brand Creative team
• Responsible for briefing raw materials in partnership with Merchandise Director
• Accountable for leading their team in building the architecture of the assortment in collaboration with Design and Product Development team, delivering against seasonal KPI's
• Accountable for leading their team to create content for showbacks to Chief Product Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and Creative Director (include strategy, innovation, directional investment level)
• Responsible for presenting seasonal merchandise direction - roadmap, storytelling/campaigns, product flow and colour to Regional Buyers and key cross-functional partners, for their business category
• Enroll and align on class strategies with Design, Product Development and Sourcing (carryover, seasonal newness, franchise management and slot investments
• Build strategic vision for franchises and product lifecycle management
• Sign off on sketches, colour and protos against product brief and long term category strategy
• Leads the team to gain in depth consumer, competitive and market insights
• Accountable for colour flow for global assortment to ensure clear consistent profitable storytelling
• Ensure seasonal KPIs/targets are met in partnership with Global Merchandise Planning

• BA, BSc, BBA, BComm, (or equivalent), specialization in Retail Management an asset
• Minimum 8 years of experience, combination of people management and Merchandising experience
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and lead a team
• Understanding and experience in working for a Global Brand is required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs
  - Mastery in Excel, proficiency in Merchandising Software, preferred experience in Adobe Illustrator
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret multiple data points across numerous channels and market segments
• Financial acumen and understanding of Retail Math
• Ability to balance analytical and creative tasks
• Ability to interpret and apply financial insights on current business performance and leverage insights to guide and inform future range plans
• Acute eye for product and colour trends
• Aware of macro lifestyle and fashion trends and how this relates to the active and wellness industry
• Strong understanding of global marketplace, major shifts in trend and activity
• Ability to apply, interpret and synthesize marketplace data to create global assortment
• Ability to enroll and clearly communicate vision, class strategy and feedback to key partners
• Ability to lead and influence creative partners
• Strong communication…