[Remote] Divisional Vice President, Merchandise Planning - Footwear and Apparel

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. REI is a leading retailer in outdoor gear and apparel, and they are seeking a Divisional Vice President for Merchandise Planning in Footwear and Apparel. This role is crucial for setting the strategic vision and financial planning for the product, while also leading the Merchandise Planning Transformation initiative to modernize the planning approach.


Responsibilities

  • As a member of the Leadership Forum, develops a deep understanding of, effectively communicates and broadly supports execution of company strategies and priorities
  • Translates company strategies into actionable divisional plans and executes successful delivery
  • Works cross-divisionally to drive execution of specific divisional and company strategies, initiatives and projects
  • Strengthens retail staff’s access and connection to leadership through annual store visits and district conference calls; drives engagement and builds trust in REI’s leaders
  • Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results
  • Supports the implementation of company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote REI key messages
  • Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results
  • Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements
  • Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions
  • Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews
  • Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees to achieve department, company and customer results
  • Establishes and maintains visibility within the department
  • Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action
  • Develops and executes long-term strategic plans aligned with the company’s overall goals
  • Identifies growth opportunities, market trends, and competitive positioning
  • Leads all merchandise planning activities, providing strategic guidance to Merchandise Planning Directors and teams (Merchandise Planning & Co-op Brand Planning) during pre-season planning definition and in-season adjustments
  • Collaborates closely with cross-functional leadership to ensure plans are realistic and integrated
  • Communicates divisional goals and expectations to cross-functional department heads
  • Leads monthly and seasonal plan reviews, identifying variances and recommending course corrections
  • Reviews and approves major investment requests, ensuring alignment with divisional strategy and financial guardrails as part of the OTB
  • Ensures the right trade-offs are made between short-term profitability and long-term growth
  • Lead cross divisional initiatives and teams across the co-op inclusive of retail, digital, marketing, supply chain and customer insights as need
  • Leverage expert knowledge to establish, implement and maintain best practices methodologies for merchandise planning (pre-season & in-season financial, assortment, item, location and space), forecasting & inventory management
  • Provide leadership across all planning and inventory management functions concerning analysis, generation of actionable insight, promoting a data first mindset and test and learn approach
  • Stays current on industry best practices in merchandising planning and inventory management processes

Skills

  • 10-15 years of Merchandising Planning experience including management, assortment planning, financial planning, item planning, location planning, inventory management (forecasting, replenishment and allocation) and analysis
  • Expert Knowledge of retail, merchandising and end-to-end supply chain process in a multi-channel retail environment
  • Experience implementing planning systems including change management efforts
  • Experience leading and developing strategic direction for merchandising planning and inventory management processes, change management and business readiness
  • Bachelor's degree in business, finance, supply chain, analytics, or mathematics
  • Builds capacity of individuals and teams through effective employee development, involvement, communication, and supervision efforts
  • Creates a strong, mutually supportive work spirit and culture where people can do their best
  • Establishes trust and inspires others
  • Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics
  • Delivers on commitments and holds others to same
  • Champions the organization and advocates solutions in the overall Company's best interest
  • Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities
  • Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions
  • Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers
  • Fosters change in company direction
  • Effectively plans and executes changes
  • Merchandising system working knowledge and experience: with SAP, Oracle, or other ERP system preferred

Company Overview

  • At Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), we exist to inspire and enable life outside for everyone. It was founded in 1938, and is headquartered in Kent, Washington, USA, with a workforce of 10001+ employees. Its website is https://www.rei.com/.

    • Company H1B Sponsorship

  • REI has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 3 in 2025, 12 in 2024, 12 in 2023, 13 in 2022, 18 in 2021, 12 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.

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