Job Description

Job Summary:

The Director, Merchandise Sourcing develops and cultivates partnerships with suppliers and company partners as they pertain to the sourcing, product development, and production of best-in-category Disney-branded merchandise. In partnership with VP leaders of Merchandise Sourcing, you will set the vision, strategy and priorities for the sourcing team, while fostering supplier relationships and the cultivation of global partnerships. The Director, Merchandise Sourcing will collaborate and produce results with regard to brand extension, product quality, time/cost efficiency and revenue growth.

You will serve in an essential strategic position using knowledge of successful global sourcing and product development strategies to guide value capture and increase efficiency across all markets and distribution channels (owned & operated retail and wholesale). The Global Merchandise Sourcing team has nearly 100 team members in 6 countries managing 600+ suppliers providing vertically developed merchandise for Disney stores, shopDisney.com, Parks & Resorts and wholesale partners worldwide.

You will report to VP, Merchandise Sourcing, and you will travel domestically and internationally (approximately 25%) to provide a presence with the location-based sourcing teams and supplier community.

This position can be located in Celebration, FL or Glendale, CA.

Responsibilities:

Sourcing and Product Compliance

* Manage a team that fosters a culture of protecting the Disney brand through responsibly-sourced quality merchandise that spans all Softlines categories distributed through Disney's owned and operated channels and wholesale partners
* Implement strategies in partnership with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure compliance policies are met across all products and suppliers
* Execute merchandise quality, sustainability and risk management programs with best-in-class suppliers that evolve with both the needs of the business and industry standards

Productivity and Process

* Direct and lead teams to improve global merchandise productivity and profitability by identifying and mitigating cost drivers
* Lead supplier rationalization and increase leveraging of strategic suppliers across all direct-to-consumer businesses (Disney Stores, shopDisney.com, Parks & Resorts and flexible business models/wholesale)
* Guide sourcing strategies that evolve with shifts in trade policies and allow for flexibility through an on-going, active knowledge of a dynamic geo-political landscape

Mentor Talent

* Motivate and lead Sourcing team members through all aspects of supplier strategy, rationalization, placement, cost negotiation, product safety/quality and on-time deliveries
* Lead and direct employee development, engagement and diversity to promote a culture of collaboration and organizational vibrancy

Strategy

* Build sourcing strategies that support global distribution while balancing need for localization and speed-to-market
* Lead sourcing strategies that maximize profitability and minimize risk with a goal of year-over-year improvement across categories
* Guide and facilitate consistent strategies that align with overall Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products (DPEP) and Global Product Creation (GPC) vision.
* Seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques and materials to facilitate product development innovation

Collaboration and Communication

* Use knowledge of our products to manage the needs of diverse partners and ensure collaboration with cross-functional teams and vendors

Basic Qualifications:

You Bring:

* 8+ years of significant, proven experience leading merchandise sourcing teams on a global scale
* Experience gaining credibility and trust with diverse partners to include business leaders and senior executives across TWDC
* Have a working knowledge of international labor and regulatory standards and other established supplier performance schemes
* Achieve continuous improvement and a focus on efficiency and scale
* Robust leadership and talent development abilities and a collaborative and effective management style
* Guide teams through times of change across industry, global policies and business and product strategies
* Retail leadership experience at a global level

Required Education

* Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Product Development, Product Design, Business or Supply Chain

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.