The Sr. Regional Merchandising Manager (Contract) manages and executes the regional go-to-market merchandising vision, strategy, and assortment plans. This role is responsible for delivering product
assortments that delight and inspire fans and enable the business to execute against the brand and business goals.
Essential Functions:
- Responsible for development, delivery and execution of the regional merchandising plan and vision that supports long-term and in-season strategic initiatives as determined by senior management. Drives business results and profitable product metrics in region.
- Delivers a thoughtful regional, seasonal analysis that drives the global briefing process by summarizing the findings of competitive market shopping, online research, store visits and trade publication reviews.
- Collaborates with product teams to plan and lead the creation of innovative, commercial and brand-enhancing regional assortments designed for targeted regional KEEN fans that deliver revenue, MSRP, margin, profitability, productivity, colour/material guidance, construction, lifecycle targets, franchise management, channel segmentation plans, and other metrics as required. Support regional fan and channel needs with specific inline and regionally driven styles as required by the business including but not limited to SMU’s, limited editions, collaborations, exclusive product, etc.
- Responsible for the creation and management of the blended pricing and margin model and for the gross margin (merch margin) of the seasonal line, as well as the entry, management, and ongoing maintenance of regional pricing in Centric. Works cross-functionally throughout the seasonal product process to bring a cohesive, cross-merchandised, fan-focused line with compelling global and regional stories each season.
- Works with sales management and key accounts to develop a distinctive, effective, and brand-appropriate distribution merchandising strategy by channel.
- Manages and monitors new product introductions and carryover product to ensure health of planned launch and/or lifecycle. Continuous improvement focused on SKU efficiency, margins, and global assortment alignment.
- Supports the finance department with product, unit and margin forecasts and analysis by season, category, gender, and style. Supports LRP and annual budget development.
- Acts as a product champion, presenting pre-lines, sales meetings, key accounts, influencers and visiting editors as required with sales.
- Builds and utilizes go-to-market tools in collaboration with regional sales and marketing to deliver results against plan including strategic merchandising plans for key wholesale accounts.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in merchandising or related field
- Six (6) or more years progressive experience in merchandising, product creation and/or retail; experience in footwear preferred.
Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience navigating a highly cross-functional matrix environment.
- Strong knowledge of footwear landscape and consumer insights.
- Strong understanding of KEEN regional fans, competitors, trend, and market insights.
- Strong organizational, analytical and time management skills.
- Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills with an ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
- Knowledge of global and regional hybrid performance and style trends with the ability to translate into commercial concepts.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel. Power Point, Word)
- Possess an inherent interest and sense of hybrid performance and style trends and have the analytical ability to forecast trends and plan and build product assortments accordingly.
- Results orientation that is balanced between both long-term objectives and short-run performance.
- Ability to successfully communicate cross-culturally as part of a global brand and merchandising team.
- Ability to work with different sales partners (direct, partner, distributor).
- Ability to independently utilize resources to increase knowledge.
- Ability to deliver the art and science of merchandising (product assortment + analytics).
- Ability to effectively manage and mentor a team.
- Ability to lead and influence people in support of overarching business and category goals.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Travel required: Yes, 10% of the time
Why Work at KEEN: Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.
At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.
KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.
