Merchandising Strategy Project Manager

Job#: 3021195

Job Description:

Apex Systems is seeking a Merchandising Strategy Project Manager that will manage the achievement of strategic merchandising department initiatives, coordinates and supports the execution of deliverables across multiple workstreams, rolls out process improvements, and develops support capabilities to more effectively empower the Merchandising team to make and execute strategic Merchandising decisions.

The position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to drive business initiatives and optimize results. You will work closely with the Category Management, Marketing, Financial Planning and Analysis, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, Channel functions, Enterprise Analytics, Consumer Insights, IT, Product Management, and across the Merchandising Operations teams to find new ways for us to win.

Contract: 2.5 Month w/ Potential Extension

Work Environment: Onsite 3 days w/ 1 remote

Pay Rate: $71.50/hr on contract W2

If interested, please reach out to Rich Brown @

• Establish a Control Tower to drive E2E execution governance of category/line review and Go-to-Market process
  • Ensure standardization across all categories
  • Ensure exit strategy and SKU transition planning governance; space/inventory timelines are met
  • Drive down no home no clearance, donations and correctives through tracking to plan
  • Inclusive of new item introductions (and exits) and off-cycle test and learn
  • Partner closely with Marketing to identify key planning inputs to drive channel plans and ensure effective communication of Merchant priorities
  • Define process inputs and ensure timely delivery from Merchant teams within individual SBUs
  • Identify opportunities to streamline/automate inputs and create a universal source of truth for planning documents
• Drive omni promotional process and governance:
  • Go-to-market (merchandising) strategy, evaluation with finance, approval with leadership team, omni execution
  • Enterprise, cross-category, brand/category promotions
  • Document process and RACI
  • Inform system enhancement roadmap
  • Track execution
• Project management across the above workstreams
  • Project Plan to define strategic, operational, and timeline goals
  • Governance guidelines for each workstream and overall program
  • Kickoff and ongoing cross-channel communication to coordinate Merchandising, Marketing, Inventory, Vendor Ops, Business Information, Technology, Data Engineering, Enterprise Data Analytics, and Executive teams
  • Alignment with project team, sponsors, stakeholders on ongoing resources needed to support initiatives
  • Risk/Resolution Management across workstreams
• Coordination and support for execution of deliverable across multiple workstreams, to include but not limited to:
• Coordination of visibility to strategic plans and execution standards and status
  • Coordination of key constituents across the enterprise to design and develop processes and technology to successfully support Merchandising objectives.
• Close work with project leaders to ensure consistency and seamlessness of user experience across workstreams.
• Ensure coordination between existing and new functionality, as well as process and procedure to be embedded in new initiatives.
• Resolution of any process, system and/or communication gaps to ensure smooth transition.
  • Coordination of change management and training as needed to ensure successful transition
  • Collaboration with Merchandising Enablement & Training and Operational teams as needed to document and develop training associated with any new or modified systems, processes and procedures.
  • Drive collaboration and deliver a service-oriented working environment with the primary focus on providing excellent service to Merchants, actively involving them in the process and leveraging everyone's expertise to achieve the best possible outcome; emphasize cooperation, shared responsibility, and a customer-centric approach to problem-solving
  • Create a framework to ensure consistent, actionable analytics and reporting to support and guide decision making for all Merchants as they collaborate across the organization.
  • Drive change management and adoption of merchandising process, strategy, and technology improvements.

Education

Key Leadership Competencies:

• Manage workstreams across the broader Merchandising Operations, Strategy & Support team as needed.
• Strong leadership, organization, coaching and influencing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels; including executive leadership, stakeholders, and external contractors / suppliers.
• Ability to create the case for change and help drive and manage the change with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to solve problems by assessing the situation, leveraging and analyzing relevant data, identifying root cause and developing potential solutions.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree
• 3-4 years in Retail, Project Management, Merchandising functions, Retail Analytics or related areas
• Strong knowledge of retail merchandising cross-functional teams and dynamics, retail merchandising systems, processes, and tools
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI) preferred

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.