Director, Merchandising - Textiles

Director of Merchandising (DMM):         Textiles

Overview of the role 

Pottery Barn seeks a Director, DMM, of the Textiles division. The DMM role is responsible for developing multi-year merchandising business strategies to drive growth, identify new product / category opportunities, and manage results and information across functions and channels to maximize the development of the brand, sales and profits for multiple departments.  Review and approve business strategies and financial plans.  Regularly communicate and share information with various functions within the division and brand.  Manage and develop associates. 

Responsibilities

• Identify the long-term strategic direction for multiple departments. Communicate the vision and inspire team to develop business plans and identify new opportunities.
• Implement tactical plans derived from strategy by working with across functional areas.
• Review category strategies for the division to ensure current trends are capitalized upon throughout the departments.
• For the divisions, review and approve:  Strategic plans to explore new business opportunities, product mix to ensure all collections have a cohesive look and meets standards, final samples, financial strategy, purchase plans, annual and seasonal financial plans to maximize sales and profits, and seasonal assortment plans (line lists) to ensure product is appropriate for the brand.
• Lead and facilitate divisional meetings across functions and channels.  Manage information flow cross functionally (Inventory Management, eCom, Marketing, Sourcing, Visual Merchandising) and across channels to maximize sales and profits. 
• Work closely with visual merchandising to plan floor layouts, store execution and management strategy.
• Collaborate with the ecom and marketing teams to execute site optimizations, best in class visual execution, and strategies to deliver the best foot forward on the website and social to drive growth and new customer acquisition.   
• Review markdown strategies and lead strategic promotional plans. 
• Lead and facilitate divisional meetings across functions and distribution channels.
• Present concepts to CEO, President, SVP, Store Management and merchandising functions. Collaborate and seek feedback on ideas and products.
• Regularly shop competitors to keep abreast of trends. 
• Travel overseas to review production, identify emerging themes and new inspirations.
• Lead and participate in key company strategic initiatives and steering committees.
• Lead personalization and monogram process and task force across the brand. 
• Management:
  • Manage a team of +10 across the various levels of merchandising providing direction and clarity on business objectives. 
  • Mentor, educate and develop staff to ensure they are growing and developing. 
  • Develop staffing and succession plans.  Interview candidates and approve division’s final candidates.
  • Determine workload for staff; recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results.
  • Provide direction and clarify objectives.  Evaluate and appraise performance. 

Criteria

• 10 -15 years prior experience in merchandise buying. Experience in a vertical brand and the home sector preferred. 
• Undergraduate degree in a related field of study, or equivalent experience required.
• 2+ years people management experience.
• Experience developing and presenting strategies, reviewing OTB, and leading teams.
• Strong systems skills.
• Possesses strong business and operational senses; able to balance and address conflicting needs and timelines of multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent team player with an eagerness to take on stretch and expanded projects. 
• Exceptional communicator who leads and contributes to discussions.
• Strong problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Proven success leading and inspiring a team.

Our Culture & Values 

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We priori