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Vice President, Direct to Consumer, Retail Buying
Cole Haan
Greenland, NH, United States
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Mission/Role
The Vice President, DTC Omni Buying will report into the EVP & GM, North America, and oversee the buying function for all categories to drive the financial performance (sales and profitability) for all Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) channels in North America, including colehaan.com, inline and outlet stores. This role will be directly responsible for the strategic leadership, development and execution of innovative omni buying and product strategies as measured by achievement of DTC revenue and margin growth, and assortment performance (full price sell-through) and productivity goals. The Vice President will be directly responsible for the DTC assortment and ensuring it meets the financial goals of the DTC business as dictated by the DTC Open-to-Buy, and is accountable for leading the required cross functional leadership and partnership with Planning & Allocation, Digital, Marketing and Visual to ensure that the right product is in place for each channel in order to drive the overall business performance and consumer experience for DTC. In addition, the Vice President will provide qualitative insights into the line planning process as well quantitative metrics from the DTC OTB to Corporate Merchandising on the development of the Cole Haan product line.
Develop and lead the DTC Go to Market process from initial product briefing to pre-season assortment planning to in-season execution of product strategies with consumers to final product markdown in stores and online. Quarterback, lead and drive the GTM process across Marketing, Site Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Field & Operations to ensure product strategy comes to life with consumers across all channels, and financial results are achieved and maximized. Assist in leading and improving Corporate Go-to-Market processes.
Develop and communicate a DTC Buying product strategy plan and vision that aligns with the Company's 3 Year strategic plan and Executive/Brand & Product Leadership vision. Maintain a long-term perspective while developing buying strategies that deliver near term financial plans.
Drive consumer-obsession and consumer-driven approach to product storytelling, supported and driven by analytics.
Align the NA DTC OTB and investment strategy with the Company Brand Plan and Key product Stories. Lead the DTC Seasonal Investment Review strategy, execution, and presentation.
Own the DTC assortment across all categories (footwear and accessories) to deliver a full lifestyle expression of the brand. Own the item-level DTC assortment by category, zone and channel in Just Enough Assortment Planning (AP) AP (Assortment Plan) against OTB targets set by Planning Leadership in Just Enough Merchandise Financial Planning (OTB). Ensure product strategy needs and exceeds financial growth targets and objectives.
Define and drive store segmentation strategies, regionalization and assortment optimization to maximize productivity and consumer experience. Lead assortment strategy for new store concepts and executions (GrandShop, new Outlet stores).
Leverage Cole Haan's investment in our DTC Enterprise Order Management capabilities to optimize assortment by maximizing the consumer experience and fulfillment capabilities.
Provide to the Corporate Merchandising team specific DTC product needs for each channel, including special make ups (smu), exclusives, concept initiatives and promotional strategies. This includes both qualitative, consumer-driven insight as well as quantitative metrics from the DTC OTB. Partner throughout product development process to ensure business needs are met, and Brand/Corporate vision is executed.
Liaise with Wholesale, International & Corporate Merchandising leads to determine marketplace segmentation strategies.
Impart appropriate taste level and standards to all aspects of the merchandise selection process, with a strong consumer-focused orientation and passion for product.
Lead the Omni buying team and overall function with a digital focus and provide expertise in both traditional and non-traditional retail models; build the vertical retail buying competency at Cole Haan.
Build and support a collaborative and innovative environment and culture for direct reports, peers and cross functional partners.
Mentor the buying team, provide feedback that enhances skill development while supporting internal career development and make appropriate organizational structure recommendations.
Travel markets to understand consumer, cultural, merchandising and marketplace trends and utilizes the information to develop strategic plans and vision.
Special projects as assigned.
Requirements
• Bachelor's Degree in related field. MBA or advanced degree a plus
• Minimum of 10 years related buying experience in the footwear/accessories business that encompasses at least 5 years in vertical retail and e-commerce
• Proven expertise in developing, directing and executing product assortment strategies against a detailed OTB with demonstrated results
• Passion for product and consumer experience
• Expertise in the e-commerce space and ability to think in "non-traditional" retail models
• Knowledge in current and future business and retail trends and technology
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills to address all levels within the organization
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, able to be both conceptual and tactical
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple competing deadlines
• Proven experience using Assortment Planning tools in an Omni-Channel Environment; Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• The role will be based in either our NY or NH office with critical in person meetings required at each location; moderate travel required among office locations in addition to market visits
About Us
We are proponents of Elegant Innovation.
Founded by Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan in 1928, Cole Haan is built on American craftsmanship and ingenuity. We combine traditional methods, timeless style and modern innovations to create footwear and accessories for optimists of all ages. This company was started to make good things for people who make good things happen; it still does.
Cole Haan recently returned to its roots as an independently owned company and is growing rapidly in the US and abroad, as people rediscover the value of quality goods made without compromises.
We call New York City and Greenland, New Hampshire home, but you'll find us everywhere, including in more than 115 retail stores within the United States, within our wholesale exclusive partners, and in over 100 locations globally. We also invite you to visit us at any time at www.colehaan.com.
The Cole Haan brand is all about modernizing Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan's legacy. The Cole Haan company is about enlisting like-minded people who want to make good things happen.