Director of Merchandising

Who We Are: Samsonite is the worldwide leader in superior travel bags, luggage, and accessories combining notable style with the latest design technology and the utmost attention to quality and durability. For more than 100 years, Samsonite has leveraged its rich heritage to create unparalleled products that fulfill the travel lifestyle needs of conscious movers everywhere. With a portfolio of brands including Samsonite, Tumi, American Tourister, High Sierra, Gregory, eBags, Hartmann, and Lipault Paris, our products are sold in over 100 countries in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America through our company-operated retail store, websites and a variety of retail partners. What You'll Be Doing: The Director of Merchandising drives the assortment planning, promotional cadence, pricing strategies, and brand messaging for the Direct-to-Consumer business (DTC), ensuring consistency for the portfolio of Samsonite Brands. You will manage the retail buying teams to deliver financial results for Samsonite Company Stores, LLC (SCS) and Direct Marketing Ventures, LLC (DMV), which is Samsonite’s eCommerce shop and marketplace sites. You will work on-site 4 days per week with the opportunity to work remotely one day per week. Manage all elements of the merchandising assortment for DTC channels to include market trends & opportunities, product development, sales and margin achievement, and ensuring inventory goals are achieved within working capital guidelines. Determine the optimal product assortment for DTC channels through analyzing sku, collection, and category performance on an on-going basis. Lead, mentor, and empower staff to achieve their performance targets and job requirements. Develop, drive, and execute a product planning strategy to ensure sales and profitability targets are met and align with brand direction. React and adapt promotional and product strategies to optimize current market trends. Create and ensure compliance with the product pricing strategy for the DTC channel. Oversee exclusive product development needs through collaboration with the Product Marketing, Product Design and Sourcing Departments. Support inline products across all brands and categories to ensure product, marketing, and inventory needs are met to support the DTC business. Assist in the retail open to buy management process ensuring sales forecasting (sales, margin, AUR) are accurate and inventory turns are managed in accordance with financial targets. Conduct market research regarding product trends, channel opportunities, and customer needs. Manage the go to market strategy to support the product creation. Communicate with and educate Store Teams and Field Leadership Teams on product sales, trends, promotional calendar updates, pricing strategies, product launch information, and product knowledge. Gain alignment on the overall DTC merchandising direction. Analyze, report on, and present business results weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly and as needed. We're Excited If You Have: Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in a related field 5+ years’ General Management experience 3+ years’ experience in Retail/eCommerce Merchandising Management Preferred Skills and Industry experience: Thorough knowledge of SAP, Power BI, and Google Analytics, Excel, and PowerPoint Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret trends and opportunities Ability to engage professionally across all levels of team members in a fast-paced environment remaining flexible and agile to the changing priorities and needs of the business Must be pro-active, results-focused individual with attention to detail Why you'll love working here: Our employees matter. As a people-focused business, we work hard to provide meaningful rewards and development opportunities for our employees, recognizing performance, and creating a supportive working environment for them, wherever they are based. Vibrant culture. We are committed to a diverse and rich culture, welcoming people from all walks of life. Our long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion empowers us to bring our authentic selves and unique differences to work every day. Socially responsible. We want to minimize our products' impact on the environment and help create positive journeys worldwide. We do this by creating the best products using the most sustainable and innovative materials, methods, and models. What we value: At Samsonite, we do more than create the bags that move with our consumer, we inspire and celebrate the moments that move them. We believe we have a responsibility to the world in how we operate, the products we sell, the communities where we live and work, and how we treat the people we employ. We're as diverse as travel itself, and like travel, your journey with Samsonite presents the opportunity to be a part of something bigger and explore your passions. This is why we offer various paths for professionals and celebrate the knowledge and skills they bring to our team. We are committed to a respectful workplace that allows our team members to bring their best selves to the workplace daily. Samsonite is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting and maintaining a work environment in which all applicants, associates, customers, and other individuals are treated with dignity and respect free from unlawful harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.