Sr Manager, Merchandising - Softlines

Job Posting Title:

Sr Manager, Merchandising - Softlines

Req ID:

10157565

Job Description:

Senior Manager, Merchandising – Softlines

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives.  From toys to t-shirts, video games, home goods and more, our teams bring our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide.

The Senior Manager, Merchandising - Softlines drives execution of the merchandise strategy and vision for their assigned categories, contributing to a complex, multi-category Softlines division. This role works closely with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer-centric, trend-right, high-quality product assortments across all owned and operated channels, bringing franchise priorities and guest insights to life through Apparel, Accessories, and Lifestyle Home. The Senior Manager plays a key role in delivering brand equity and financial performance targets through the full product lifecycle, from merchant-led concept and brief through commercialization, applying a working understanding of the fabrication, functionality, construction, and regulatory complexities unique to Softlines development.

SOFTLINES MERCHANDISING

• Creates and implements the day-to-day execution of product strategies across a softlines category / categories

• Translate product strategy into consumer-focused assortments that drive commercial success in Disney Parks

• Maintain deep consumer focus, balancing insights and analytics to identify opportunities, strengthen the brand, and enhance the guest experience

• Monitor global market, competitive, and consumer trends to identify growth opportunities

• Champion trend-driven, innovative products developed with Design and Sourcing teams to meet consumer demand and achieve business and sustainability objectives

• Analyze product performance to identify successes, continuously improve assortments and drive productivity

• Apply expertise in softlines development, including materials, fabrics, fit, construction, trims, embellishments, manufacturing capabilities, and production timelines

• Drive merchant development and manage open-market and licensed product sourcing to fill assortment gaps, address emerging trends, and support key franchise initiatives

• Lead the development and execution of brand collaborations and co-branded programs

• Manage the full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization, ensuring financial, innovation, sustainability, and regulatory goals are met

• Ensure compliance with technical and regulatory requirements for softlines, including flammability, labeling, packaging, and care standards

LEADERSHIP / MANAGEMENT

• Category and Brand ambassador to cross-functional teams showing up as a compelling, dynamic, knowledgeable leader in all stages of go to market process and partner interactions where product is discussed

• Build compelling strategies that result in strong financial results and create solutions to drive category vision

• Manage conversation and activities with sourcing to cost the line and run financial scenarios

• Manage conversation with design to create a product line in all activities and key milestone meetings

• Actively manages communication and collaboration with key commercialization partners

• Influence cross-functional partners to drive execution and remove road block

• Maintains and communicates strong point of view on consumer, customer and business across stakeholders and management.

• Leads through ambiguity

• Manages direct reports with immediate feedback on performance and weekly touch bases to review deliverables, regular development and coaching

• Builds, develops and retains best in class Merchant talent.

• Execute and manage simultaneous, overlapping softlines product timelines within category, maintaining clarity on development milestones, lead times, approval gates, and delivery windows, and making real-time prioritization decisions that protect on-time execution without compromising product integrity or financial targets

• Manage category operating budgets and financial plans, driving disciplined decision making and scenario planning to achieve performance targets

QUALIFICATIONS

• 6-8+ years of progressive experience in Merchandising, preferably in Lifestyle Home

• Experience in building a product line for a ca