Vice President Merchandising, Women's

About the Role

This role is responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of the Banana Republic Women’s Merchandising organization and its goals; delivering value through creating high performing/operating teams, effectively balancing innovation, quality, and costs that meet Banana Republic's long-term global brand vision.

To deliver the Women’s Merchandising strategies, the VP will lead a team of Merchandising professionals and has Sr. Director, & Directors as direct reports. The VP works closely with cross functional partners in Design, Planning, and Product Development. The VP works with these teams to execute Banana Republic's Product Pipeline process, improve GM, Increase Inventory Optimization, and Drive Additional SG&A efficiency-goals that the merchandising teams can affect.

The VP develops, communicates, and drives long-range strategies that meet or exceed financial goals and customer expectations. To be successful, the VP will be a champion for the BR business and be skilled at building and maintaining strong and effective relationships with the BR leadership team, as well as with the leaders of key functions such as Inventory Management, Design, Product Development, Site Merchandising, Field & Visual Merchandising, Marketing, Business Strategy, and Finance. The VP will inspire and motivate the team and others by presenting a compelling vision and direction for the holistic business and be a role model and mentor within the company. This role is accountable for achieving business objectives through product differentiation, customer response, and financial performance.

The Banana Republic Vice President Women’s Merchandising is based in San Francisco and reports directly to Head of Merchandising & Inventory Management.

Salary Range: $300,000 - $340,000 USD
Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.

What You'll Do

• Independently lead the overall vision & strategy for BR Women’s business. Accountable for final decision making for divisional decisions.

• Empower direct reports to lead the functional strategies within Merchandising to deliver on the broader business objectives.  

• Signs off on the operational strategy (short and long-term) to deliver the BR long range plan. 

• Provide perspective on market opportunities & alignment with goals and/or internal strengths.   

• Leads, directs, develops Merchandising team from concept, milestone, and final assortment stages of product development.

Product Affinity:  

• Lead Merchandising team in creating strong product assortments that deliver on BR’s goals with a focus and prioritization of key initiatives. 

• Ensure product assortments between all Departments within the Division are aligned and not duplicative.  

• Ensure seasonal strategies provide an exciting customer omni experience and support long-term Brand and Division goals.  

• Actively listen to all members of the cross-functional team to ensure that innovative ideas are surfaced and acted upon, and that the team is empowered to own the business.  

• Create a seamlessly omni experience for the customer by driving an omni assortment on promotional strategies, visual, field & site merch team on customer experience, and marketing on communication.

• Collaborates with Design & Product Development on product strategies and requirements to ensure customer needs are met.

Business Acumen:

• Signs offs on and enables execution product LRP strategies.

• Partner with the BR Leadership team to manage and react to business in the moment to ensure we are achieving sales and profit plans and meeting customer demand.  

• Lead and guide the team throughout pre-season process and milestone meetings, including Strategic Alignment Meeting and SVP Investment Reviews.  

• Provide clear leadership and direction regarding seasonal investments to ensure that smart risks are being taken in the appropriate categories and that financial targets are met.    

• Partners with Marketing, Visual Merchandising & Site Merchandising to ensure consistent consumer experience through execution of cohesive product vision.

• Partners with Inventory Management on seasonal investment strategy by market to ensure big ideas and growth drivers are protected.

People & Leadership:

• Motivate, coach, and inspire the broader team to drive for results. Role model positive and solution-oriented leadership.  Prioritize and hold team accountable to a learning environment.  Work cross brand and cross functionally on organizational strategies for long term growth.  

• Build strong and effective working relationships with key cross-functional partners, deep investment in peer-to-peer development and each other’s success.

• Align resources appropriately within own team and cross-functionally to build an organization that is set up for success.  

• Drive Solutions and prioritize while being in service to the business and broader team.

• Build extraordinary talent through coaching and championing inclusion.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Operates independently as authority over the business, capable of executing critical business decisions without consultation.

• Demonstrates clear articulation to BRLT/SLT level on strategy.

• Think strategically, conceptually, and creatively –must have, and be able to articulate, a vision that is sharable by all key stakeholders.

• Experience in driving omni global merchandising strategies.

• Strong Business Acumen, expert knowledge of financial measurements and how to impact them. Identify areas of the business that need attention and can analyze the details when appropriate.

• Demonstrate agility in leadership style and flexibility of approach; can think strategically (high-level) and tactically (to drive execution).

• Must be the market-facing expert for the business (competitive and customer). Must be consumer centric and lead the teams to make decisions based on our customers wants/needs.

• Strong gut instinct and passion for product; take smart risks and be innovative.

• Highly skilled collaborator who consistently finds the balance between shared purpose and healthy conflict; open-minded to and interested in others' opinions.

• Talent Builder-proven track record of assessing, attracting, and developing diverse and inclusive best-in-industry leaders and teams.

Who You Are

• Experience in an apparel product brand as a business leader with major business driving functions i.e., IM, Merchandising, Stores, etc.     

• 15+ years of retail experience, varies depending on type of experience. VP level experience required.

• 10+ years of management experience.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.