Reporting to the VP, Head of Brand, the Category Merchandising Manager, Ocean is pivotal in steering the direction and success of consumer-centric product solutions, specific to the ocean environment. This position demands a blend of strategic foresight and hands-on management through every phase of product development, conceptualization to market launch. The core responsibility involves orchestrating annual line plans to drive revenue, gross margin, and market share. This strategic assortment of superior products underpins the company's competitive edge and its ability to meet and exceed customer expectations.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Deliver innovative solutions that align with consumer needs and preferences.
- Synthesize market insights, brand strengths, and creative product development to offer compelling products to captivate and satisfy core consumer base.
- Immerse in ocean environment, engaging with the coastal angling community to generate insights required to define and implement an effective growth strategy.
- Analyze target markets/segments and create a solid definition of the potential for new products.
- Position new products in the marketplace, working closely with sales, marketing, and external experts to gain an in-depth understanding of each market/segment and the competition.
- Demonstrate mastery of product creation and go-to-market process, encompassing technical on-water solutions, versatile performance, and off-water and lifestyle products.
- Deliver holistic solutions to internal team, external sales reps, key retailers, and consumer.
- Deliver clear communication and effective partnership to internal stakeholders, including design, development, marketing, and sales team.
- Execute the I2C pathway, prepare for key waypoints, and deliver on follow up action items.
- Identify and evaluate opportunities to innovate.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to align product development goals and timelines.
- Be an expert on competition and marketplace, integrating insight to support business decisions.
- Maintain relevant line plans completely and accurately.
- Support implementation of PLM and PIM management tools.
- Drive towards seasonal and annual sales and margin objectives.
- Participate in long range planning decisions
- Deliver seasonal plans with a demonstrated path to achieving objectives.
- Provide leadership on pricing and product margin management.
- Engage with consumers and retailers to gather insights to inform collection development.
- Deliver effective sell-in presentations to customers and during larger global sales moments.
- Develop and maintain effective intellectual property strategies.
- Understand and comply with relevant policy and regulatory requirements.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline
- 5+ years sales, product or marketing experience in wholesale, retail or direct businesses.
- Demonstrated results in Product Line Management for Consumer Brands.
- Experience with Outdoor Products categories preferred .
- Experience across different channels (outdoor or CPG - brands north of $100M)
- Knowledge of product development process, merchandising and assortment planning.
- Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to deliver presentations to large groups.
- Working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Strong quantitative/analytic skills.
- Extreme diligence and ability to establish and maintain schedules.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and make decisions with incomplete or qualitative data.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead a collaborative results-oriented team
- Ability to communicate effectively- verbally, written and visually - with a wide variety of people.
- Adaptable, resilient, flexible, fast paced, and an elevated level of multitasking ability.
- Demonstrated passion and personal commitment.
- Personal and professional values are aligned with company values and culture.
- Able to manage deadlines, multiple projects, and financial performance expectations.
SALARY RANGE
$130,000- $135,000 + bonus
GEOGRAPHY
- This is a remote position. The ideal candidate will be based in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, or South Carolina with close proximity to a coastal angling community.
- Travel to Bozeman, Montana required.
