Job Description

Job Summary:

Shape and drive the global brand merchandising strategy for National Geographic and incubate new ways of working to drive the product for new business models in The Walt Disney Company. Ensure highest quality, consumer focused, trend right product across all channels of distribution, building brand equity and meeting financial targets. Report into Senior Vice President of Global Brand Merchandising and Product Design with Global Product Creation.

* Entrepreneurial role within a large Global company
* Lead the development of a consumer-focused product strategy for the launch of National Geographic apparel, accessories and home lifestyle products globally that are commercially viable and deliver a consistent worldwide look and feel
* Work directly with product design and creative design teams to develop and execute global product vision, strategy and positioning for National Geographic
* Partner with SVP and other executives to evaluate new distribution methods to bring all categories of product for all of The Walt Disney Companys (TWDC) franchises to market
* Key partner in the creation of processes and capabilities to support wholesale models for all of our brands around the globe
* Lead the curation of assortments from all of TWDCs franchises that create incremental revenue through shop in shops at every level of the market segmentation pyramid
* Expert in brand and retail trends with an ability to filter for consumer relevance
* Pivotal partner between the Global Product Creation teams and the commercial, franchise and marketing teams
* Connect business opportunities around the globe to maximize the impact of initiatives and increase productivity in how we work
* Find commonality in consumer, customer and market trends to minimize duplication / cannibalization. Identify areas to reduce complexity and increase productivity globally
* A consumerist: Consumer obsessed, constantly balancing the art and the science of merchandising to find opportunities, elevate brand and delight our consumer

Responsibilities:

* Lead with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong problem-solving skills
* Brand ambassador to commercial teams showing up as a compelling, dynamic, knowledgeable leader in all stages of go to market process and partner interactions where product is discussed
* Communicates to influence cross-functional partners to drive execution and remove road blocks
* Strong Point of View on consumer, customer and business effectively communicated across stakeholders and management
* Leads through ambiguity
* Manages direct reports with immediate feedback on performance and weekly touch bases to review deliverables, regular development and coaching
* Builds, develops and retains best in class talent
* Manages operating budget for category to business to meet financial targets

Basic Qualifications:

* 10+ years of progressive experience in Product Merchandising in both retail and wholesale environments
* Experience working with large-scale, global retailers to bring product assortments to market
* Demonstrated ability to support revenue creation while maintaining brand integrity
* Strong working knowledge of the omni-channel marketplace globally
* Strategic thinker with the ability to drive creative execution against a financial plan
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence a diverse audience including experience working with external partners and business owners to bring product and assortments to the market
* Successful experience working, and thriving, in a highly matrixed company structure
* Robust leadership and talent development abilities and a collaborative and effective management style
* Strong Team Player The ability to build & foster collaborative partnerships across functions and departments within The Walt Disney Company
* Proven ability to think creatively and disruptively to bring and infuse new ideas into an established product development team and process
* Experience in multiple categories and segments within the global market
* Demonstrated ability to lead the organizational and cultural change efforts needed to ensure new, innovative concepts, business practices, and technologies are fully adopted and integrated into the business
* Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Required Education

Bachelors Degree or relevant experience