VP - Women's Product & Merchandising, UGG

Company: Deckers Brands
Location: Goleta
Posted on: April 9, 2021

Job Description:

VP - Women's Product & Merchandising, UGG Accountable for the development and delivery of an UGG Women's category strategy that encompasses all elements of the value proposition (Product, Price, Distribution., Brand expression and marketing investment) and maximizes the potential of the business. Engage cross functional stakeholders in the development and delivery of their workstreams and lead the business through the change.-- As chief category merchant, deliver a consumer and data-informed product vision, strategy and plan that delivers Board targets and LRP goals. Ensure appropriate and consistent execution across all regions. Implement best practice product merchandising and innovation approaches. Develop the capability in the team and lead them to deliver market leading product, exceptional brand experiences, and significant category growth. Your Impact:
Strategic & Financial Planning
--- Leads and is accountable for the 360 global category vision, mission, goals, strategies and plans for a major category of business for 3-5 years in close partnership with cross-functional leaders across product, marketing, omni sales, etc.
--- Oversees establishment of global category product goals, strategies and plans that deliver the LRP goals and Board targets. Identifies and champions the "big ideas" and stories for the business to rally behind Category assortment and pricing architecture guidelines
--- Collaborates, plans and vets category strategies with executive cross-functional leaders in development of category products and processes. Has portfolio expertise of global competitive space of direct category/categories, as well as broader brand landscape. Demonstrates an in depth understanding of the competitive dynamic impacting each category and consumer segment along with the ability to develop strategies and plans to achieve growth.--
--- Ensure teams and key stakeholders across product, design, development, marketing and omnichannel are appropriately engaged in their part in the delivery of the strategy. Work with these teams and stakeholders to develop their detailed plans and monitor their progress on a quarterly, seasonal and annual basis. Recommend changes to the plan as appropriate and achieve sign off from the ELT
--- Engage the ELT and the Board as appropriate on the sign off of the strategy and business case.
--- Acquire the appropriate resources: people, marketing, CAPEX, IT to deliver the business case
--- Set the vision for category appropriate consumer- segmentation models that inform product and marketing strategies, including in-line product, category extensions, new product categories, collaborations, Brand communication and marketing tactics
--- Ensure customer segment and competitive environment information are frequently refreshed and integrated into the strategic and seasonal planning processes as appropriate
--- Perform a Global Category health check every 6 months and refresh the strategy once a year following the cadence of Deckers business planning process. Identify key global and regional trends and shifts in market direction to inform category, product & marketing decisions that maximize commercial opportunities for UGG Women's
--- Work with PD on sourcing plans that deliver the product strategy (price point, LRP margins and incorporate sell in and sell through costs, sku count and productivity)
--- Establish the appropriate KPIs for the measurement of the delivery of the plan, set up governance and lead the change within the organization.
-- Annual and Seasonal Planning
--- Translate the Strategy into an annual operating plan that delivers LRP goals and budget targets. Achieve sign off by the ELT and lead the cross functional execution of the plan--
--- Lead the team to develop the annual initiatives to deliver the plan. Ensure team understanding of competitor positioning, pricing structures, assortments, distribution channels, etc. and that the plans are connected to the customer and competitive context. Clearly identify and communicate consumer types, age ranges, shopping habits and lifestyles to enable the team to plan and develop consumer-focused and brand-right product--
--- Develop product lifecycles & global seasonality to maximize sell in and thru of product. Segment product by distribution channel and consumer, applying insights and knowledge to create a balanced product assortment. Guide product phasing and assortment building by delivery based upon historical performance, missed opportunities, and competition to maximize sales throughout the season
--- Motivates the team to deliver financial plans and a range the maximizes SKU efficiency and margin opportunities. Actively mentor the team on seasonal planning concepts and techniques
--- Partner with brand & omni marketing teams to translate key product initiatives into consumer centric stories that bring the big ideas to life in the market. Ensure marketing investments and tactics deliver customer goals Ensure consideration of regional variances in consumer preferences and advise on assortments and brand communication accordingly
--- Partner with merchandising stakeholders to ensure seasonal forecasts reflect product initiatives, brand strategy, and demand plans. Work with cross functional stakeholders to ensure the quantitative and qualitative feedback on the range is accurate and delivered in a timely manner. Establish process where required to ensure excellent and regular connection with global markets and travel regularly to key global markets to stay in touch with global trends and the execution of the strategy
--- Continuously update team's understanding of category and business, clarifying the category vision of right product/position and competitive set. Ensure team is tuned into market dynamics, including awareness of buyers, consumer, and sales reps needs and concerns
--- Propose to executive team inflight action plans to increase sales, productivity and profitability.--
--- Continuously look for ways to improve existing GTM processes. Recommend and implement new ways to move faster and deliver more--

Merchandising
--- Create and implement a first class and efficient Product Merchandising strategy & process that supports current initiatives and delivers financial goals. Articulate the strategy and process to ELT and board of directors as necessary.
--- Ensure regional teams and key stakeholders across product, design, marketing, sales, and Omni-channel are appropriately engaged in their part in the delivery of the strategy. Work with these teams and stakeholders to develop their detailed plans and monitor their progress on a seasonal and annual basis.
--- Establish process where required to ensure strong and regular connection with local and global markets and travel regularly to key local and global markets to stay in touch with trends, consumers, and the execution of the strategy
--- Champion a mindset and practice of continuous innovation and improvement; Identify new category, product and merchandising ideas, analyzing competitor activity and pricing strategies, and identifying assortment opportunities and product trends.
--- Guide Regional teams in filtering risks and opportunities from both internal and external factors, balancing brand initiatives and profitability in decision making.--
--- Adapt short and long-term business plans to address previously unforeseen challenges and opportunities (excellent sell-thru, quality/delivery issues, competitor success, market trends, etc.)
--- Mentor the Regional team in shifting from analysis to insights, incremental to visionary, and evolution to innovation.

Leadership
--- Energize the business in the delivery and execution of the Category strategy. Communicate the benefits of change, engineer quick wins and move fast to realize opportunities
--- Guide the team to become Product management experts leading with data driven insights, building financial plans that reflect the opportunity and engaging cross functional stakeholders to deliver the plans in a structured and systematic way. Guide team in filtering risks and opportunities from both internal and external factors. Balance brand initiatives and profitability in decision making. Adapt short and long-term business plans to address previously unforeseen challenges and opportunities (strong sell-thru, quality/delivery issues, competitor success, market trends, etc.)
--- Continuously evaluate the end-to-end product lifecycle in partnership with product creation leaders. Anticipate and manage shifts in the market that could impact the Deckers delivery model. Mentor team in shifting from analysis to insights, incremental to visionary, and evolution to innovation.)
--- Infuse a mindset and practice of accountability, humility, exceptional service, and cooperation
--- Foster and embed Deckers values and culture; champion and develop a diverse and inclusive team and environment
--- Instill and reinforce the highest standards for collaboration and teamwork within UGG and across Deckers, identifying synergies, fostering idea sharing, developing talent across teams, and establishing common goals--
--- Develop, motivate, mentor and retain top talent; engage teams in ways that will facilitate the achievement of UGG's strategic objectives, as well as individual professional development plans
--- Champion and ensure progressive employee development practices that provide UGG employees with clear roles, clear goals, clear development plans, and visible career paths within Deckers Who you are:
--- Demonstrated experience developing solutions, long-term strategic plans, and creative strategies/briefs aligned with long term global organization and category goals.
--- Demonstrated understanding of evolving marketing and product platforms, technology, and tools, including integrated digital platforms and channels.
--- Demonstrated experience integrating multiple departments in a matrix organization to achieve results.
--- Demonstrated experience implementing and adhering to category KPI and ROI guidelines, including expert understanding of merchandising, financial metrics, marketing ROI, sales, product line data and ability to interpret detailed analysis of global seasonal sell-in and sell-through information, consumer insights, market research, trends analysis, etc.
--- Expert understanding of category competitive landscape and Omnichannel retail environment, with strong knowledge of the global footwear industry and its consumers.
--- Demonstrated presentation skills at the executive level, with experience influencing and motivating senior level audiences (sales meetings, key accounts, internal teams, etc.).
--- Able to champion & develop innovative principles & concepts to affect change.
--- Demonstrated experience shaping and developing highly motivated and effective teams.
--- Demonstrated experience driving category, category and product innovation, as well as passion for consumer engagement, through emerging methodologies and technology. We love to hear from people with:
Education/Certifications:
--- Bachelor's degree, Masters preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience
Work Experience:
--- 15+ years similar experience in a combination of 2 or more of the following areas: global category management, product management & merchandising, etc., including at least 8+ years in an executive management function over a team of 6+ employees.
--- Demonstrated experience in a leadership role in multiple global markets preferred (APAC, EMEA, Americas).
--- Demonstrated experience creating brand and category strategies for a global audience with multiple distribution channels (retail, wholesale, ecommerce) exceeding $400M+ ; Women's footwear experience preferred; Excellent understanding of how to leverage and integrate product KPIs. What We'll Give You -

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We've created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they're valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees' needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That's why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There's nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.
  --
  Equal Employment Opportunity
  
  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law From our corporate offices to our global retail stores, there's a curious, independent spirit that's distinctively Deckers Brands. We're about giving people the freedom to pursue their passions. And we're committed to helping them succeed; to become their best selves. That's why we're about more than work, the 9 to 5 or daily grind. We're about opportunity - opportunity to create, to grow and to have an impact.-- As we work to become better at everything we do, how we better the world matters, too. Our products and brands are loved, no doubt about it. But the difference we make in people's lives begins with our people, right here at Deckers Brands. We're adventurous, spirited, unafraid of new challenges and willing to take chances. We are always ready to rally around a cause.
  
  Put simply, we want all of our people to thrive - to reach their full potential and have fun while doing it. Because in the end, Deckers thrives when our people thrive.

Keywords: Deckers Brands, Santa Barbara , VP - Women's Product & Merchandising, UGG, Executive , Goleta, California