Director of Merchandising (Outlet Leathergoods)

Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always been colorful, bold, and optimistic. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand that designs extraordinary things for the everyday, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, home décor, and more. Known for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, Kate Spade New York offers a distinctive point of view and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles. 

 

Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible.

 

A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive. Visit Our People page to learn more about Tapestry's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Job Title: Director, Global Merchandising, Handbags

 

The successful individual will leverage their proficiency in Merchandising to…

 

• Develop, lead and communicate the merchandising product and assortment strategy for Outlet Handbags and Small Leathergoods
• Create relevant, cohesive and compelling brand-right product assortments that drive business, building newness while not excluding the needs of current customers
• Partner with Design and Product Development to build and execute an assortment that addresses brand strategies and customer needs. Drive communication of costing needs to maintain margin targets.
• Partner and build effective relationships with Global Merchandise Planning (GMP) and Business Units to effectively influence and drive objectives/customer needs and identify product opportunities globally.
• Actively partner with merchandising peers to ensure synergy across the total product strategy and execution.
• Analyze sales on a weekly basis to gain comprehensive understanding of the state of the business and make recommendations to drive business growth. Provide global analysis that drives decisions and overall strategy
• Identify product opportunities through regular hind-sighting that incorporates consumer research, business feedback and sales performance analysis and trends.
• Maintain an in-depth and up to date awareness of the competitive landscape through store visits, on-line review, events, markets, and other means to identify opportunities for future growth and opportunities for the category. 
• Maintain updated knowledge of key competitor distribution and pricing strategies.
• Manage team to meet key deliverables, while successfully supporting their growth and development.

 

The accomplished individual will possess...

 

• Excellent product sensibility and conceptual ability with on-trend vision, balancing high taste level and data points with gut instinct
• Previous experience owning product assortment and development
• Comprehensive understanding of retail math and financial acumen
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills
• Experience driving process improvements
• Ability to take initiative, ownership and accountability for business
• An exceptional communicator up, down and across the organization
• Strong sense of teamwork and ability to multi-task
• Strong leadership and managerial skills with ability to motivate, develop a team and influence partners

 

An outstanding professional will have...

 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or reelevant work experience
• Minimum 10 years merchandising/buying experience with a focus on Leathergoods
• Minimum 4+ years people management experience

 

Our Competencies for All Employees

 

• Courage: Doesn’t hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people