Director, Licensing and Merchandising

Description

The Director, Licensing, and Merchandising is responsible for the creation and maintenance of all licensing programs for Inter Miami CF and for managing the implementation of all global visual merchandising guidelines and standards. The Merchandise/ Licensing Director needs strong negotiating & sales skills to bring in profitable licenses that fit our brand portfolio and build cohesive strategies to ensure a total brand statement tailored to specific objectives. This individual will also own the planning conceptiong, and execution of all visual displays. He/she will be responsible for planning and building a forecast and meeting profit goals. The position entails that at any given moment, an individual has a clear view of every license agreement from legal accounting and product approval and follows up with activity for the life of a contract. 

 Essential Duties & Responsibilities:  

• Development of a merchandising strategy to support the growth of retail channels at Inter Miami CF. 
• Execute the rollout of the direct retail strategy and oversee all aspects of retail operations, from openings to inventory management. 
• Ensure operational excellence by setting operational standards and driving accountability with the store team in compliance with policies and procedures. 
• Drive store performance and ensure commitment to brand excellence. 
• Coordinate delivery and installation of visual collateral, custom displays, POS Essentials with retailers. 
• Oversee the hiring and training of staff for all retail locations. 
• Identify and coordinate key licensees and accounts to support the roll out of branded destinations i.e. Inter Miami CF stores and pop-up events. 
• Work with licensees and agents to develop Inter Miami CF merchandise. 
• Manage licensees and agents through product development cycle - from development of creative briefs, obtaining legal clearances, to final execution and production. 
• Negotiate categories, product selection, minimum guarantees, royalty rates, payment terms and territory with licensees, to achieve strong margins and competitive price points at retail. 
• Stay current on market trends and competition and bring new ideas that will enhance product offering and provide a competitive edge in the marketplace that delivers Inter Miami CF’s mission. 
• Conduct strategic analysis of market trends and competition. 
• Independently lead, manage, and supervise licensees. 
• Maintain and grow licensing programs and initiatives. 
• Negotiate and approve merchandise and promotional deals, while overseeing all aspects of business terms from inception to end of contract term. 
• Initiate programs by tying together licensees, retailers, distributors, promotional partners, and entertainment initiatives which result in a total concept that is successfully tailored and executed for the international market. 
• Execute global visual merchandising guidelines for Inter Miami CF stores to ensure best-in-class representation and strategy of the brand. Partner with Marketing departments for the ordering, tracking, and installing of all visuals and displays. 
• Solve licensing issues in a creative and non-confrontational way; maintain a solution-oriented approach to conflicts. 
• Ensure that licensees comply with all the terms and conditions of our relationship. 
• Coordinate and follow up with internal accounting department on credit approvals, invoices, reporting, late payment notifications and audits. 
• Review new licensing proposals and make recommendations to senior management. 
• Support key licensees in retail meetings. 
• Coordinate with Inter Miami CF marketing team to plan retail assortments, solicit performance and consumer feedback to aid in future product development, and develop exclusive merchandise. 
• Help to develop & execute Inter Miami CF merchandising concepts inside retail locations and including concept shops/ stores or ecommerce sites. 
• Provide consistent direction to all licensees/retailers. 
• Monitor co-op marketing funds and provide recommendations on how to maximize expenditures on behalf of both licensee and retail community in driving long-term growth of product initiative. 
• Serve as field-based expert and champion for store operations, driving implementation of new tools and initiatives, providing feedback for evolution and improvement. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

• At least 5 years’ experience in category, product and/or brand management. 
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing or related discipline. 
• Strong interpersonal, management, communication, organizational, presentation, and follow-through skills. 
• Experience in results-orient